Youth-to-Youth Bear Hugs
Co-sponsored by the Center for Cooperative Principles and Children of the Earth
We would like to thank the over 2000 children who participated in the Youth to Youth Bear Hugs Project in 2006 and 2007. Many hearts were touched by your generosity. The heroism shown by so many children and adults who have overcome trauma and tragedy to help others and to rebuild their lives is a testament to the human spirit. We are honored and privileged to have met you.
The Youth to Youth Bear Hugs Project is goodwill in action. Youth long to express caring and compassion for others and to give generously from their hearts. This project provides children and youth the opportunity to send care and comfort to other children in a tangible way. This experience opens the hearts of the young, develops an ethic of compassion, and expands their awareness of and connection with others.
Over 150 teddy bears were given to Benjamin Banneker Elementary in New Orleans on June 12, 2006.
The Bear Hugs Project recognizes that a personal expression of friendship, and a cuddly teddy bear to hold, can help heal the aching heart of a child. Through this program youth order teddy bears and write personalized messages of caring and encouragement, including their name and the address of their school or organization, on tags that are attached to teddy bears. The teddy bears are then sent to children around the world who have experienced trauma or stress.
The
Hurricane Katrina Projects 2007
This year we focused on the New Orleans area. We are in the final stages of collecting teddy bear orders and planning our trip to distribute the bears this summer. One school sent this letter describing the chores that the students did to earn the money to buy a bear for a child in New Orleans.
Click this thumbnail to open the letter in a larger view -->
< Liz Mooney distributes teddy bears to children at Craig Elementary, New Orleans June 12, 2006. Teddy bears were distributed to 450 children at Craig Elementary.
The Hurricane Katrina and Tsunami Bear Hugs Projects 2006
Co-sponsored by the Center for Cooperative Principles and Children of
the Earth
Schools and youth groups from the following states participated in the Katrina and Tsunami Bear Hugs Projects:
| California | Missouri | Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey |
| New York | Ohio | Vermont | Washington | Wisconsin |
Youth from elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools participated in the project. Other participating groups included a Brownie Troop from New Jersey, and a home schooling group from Washington. A girl from Missouri asked that children not bring her gifts for her birthday party, but rather order teddy bears for children impacted by Hurricane Katrina. First and second grade classes from New Hampshire did extra chores such as setting the table, making their beds, doing barn chores, and catching fish and selling them to earn money so that they could order teddy bears for other children.
In June 2006 our Youth Leadership Team distributed teddy bears at Craig Elementary in New Orleans to children affected by Hurricane Katrina. We sent pictures and a report about the project to the participating schools and youth groups. Teddy bears were taken to Thailand for distribution to children impacted by the Tsunami.
To read about our trip to New Orleans in June “The Road to New Orleans: A Journey of the Heart” click here. (140K PDF)