Isaac's Friends

Bears to get Better

"Bears to get Better" is the title of a new initiative from Isaac's Friends. This campaign will have three phases: a public donation drive for the last week of July 2009 to benefit the children in an orphanage in Ukraine, the gift of a teddy bear to each child in the hospital that our volunteers visit, and an ongoing initiative to provide teddy bears for children in hospitals around the country.

The gift of a teddy bear to a child experiencing traumatic circumstances means much more than just giving a toy to as child. The gift addresses deep emotional needs of the child by providing comfort, love, security, connection and friendship. Research by organizations such as Caring for Children, Inc., have found that teddy bears given to children after a traumatic experience such as abuse, injury or death in the family act as a therapeutic tool, letting the child know that somebody cares. Some child psychologists say the teddy bear is a familiar transitional object for children that offers security by acting as a surrogate mother, or a new friend to share their pain, grief, and fears with.