Have you heard of Angel Teddy Bears Organization?

MommyOAnna · 09-08-2005, 05:32 PM

I am planning on doing this and was wondering if any of you have heard of, or are doing this as well. www.angelteddybears.org

It was started by a couple women who lost babies (site has the story).

Basically they have bears donated to them and then pass them out at Ob clinics, hospital L&D rooms, funeral homes, etc. with sympathy cards (directing to the site)....just so women with a loss can have SOMETHING to remember the baby and know they aren't alone (someone said people give her weird looks sometimes because they think she expects them to replace the baby, but in actuality it is just to let the moms/parents know they are not alone and point them towards others that understand in their own way and not judge them). I am so bad at explaining things sometimes, sorry if that all sounded run together. It is pretty much confidential because of laws, so what happens is the bears w/cards are dropped off at different places (as mentioned above) and the doctor/funeral director/sonographer etc. would actually hand out the bears. I (for example) would fill out a form of what locations I left the bears (and how many I left) and send that into the organizations accountant....just so they know I am not keeping them to myself.

Anyway, I loved it when I read it, because I remember how alone "I" felt even with my own loss....and I know the pain won't be taken away, but it is so nice/reassuring to know you aren't alone....especially on the hard days.

Anyway, the message board is kinda quiet in there, but I really like the idea of this and plan on doing it, so I wanted some of your opinions.

SheriKCMO · 09-08-2005, 06:49 PM

I really like this idea. I think it is therapeutic to help others when our hearts are ready for that.

Thanks for pointing it out.

jlmcquade · 09-08-2005, 07:13 PM

Carla,

Thank you for posting that link. The stories of the founders are heart breaking but, how wonderful that they started this foundation. I think I may volunteer too! It would be healing for me to be able to help others that have lost their little ones.

God Bless
~~Julie~~

Madtulsan · 09-08-2005, 09:44 PM

My sister got one of these when she lost her daughter at 21 weeks. It meant a lot to her.

MommyOAnna · 09-09-2005, 12:15 AM

I know, I think it would be theraputic....I wouldn't see the moms/family myself, but knowing I might have helped them find others who can understand, that won't be upset if they share how they feel ....oh the feeling it gives me just thinking about it!!! Kim, one of the founders said she would send me stuff soon (we are moving Sept 20th). I am so ready to get started up here (she said there isn't anyone in Alaska doing it, so I would be the first person to volunteer from here).

Madtulsan ~ I am so glad they helped your sis!!

lifes2short · 09-10-2005, 08:59 AM

When I was discharged when I had my first m-c I didn't recieve one and the lonely walk out of the hospital on the maternity ward was hell.
After my 2nd m-c I recieved one and she sits on my bed still today, having something to hold on to was better.
Bec

TurtleLove · 09-12-2005, 09:56 PM

what a cool idea, thanks for sharing i signed up

Gnzls924 · 09-13-2005, 01:28 AM

After I lost my son, I received so many things from wonderful people like these women. I know that one organization was called "Living Hands" The card said "from the hands that have lived a lifetime to the hands that never had a chance." I was so grateful for what they gave us when we lost Matthew. They provided us with clothes for him, and a very beautiful christening gown all of which were made for his size. I also received a teddy bear and i was very fortunate that the NICU made a mold of his feet and hands. It was indeed very comforting to be able to hold something as i left the hospital.

LaurAnnHere · 09-13-2005, 02:05 AM

I am definately going to sign up. It's a beautiful idea. Thank you for sharing that site with us.

MommyOAnna · 09-13-2005, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gnzls924

i was very fortunate that the NICU made a mold of his feet and hands.

Oh that is so awesome/thoughtful. I am glad they thought to do that. They should do that everywhere!!

Pretty~in~Pink · 09-13-2005, 02:16 PM

I signed up as a volunteer. Is there anyone who has done this & what it was like if you did? I kind of don't know if I'll be right for it. I like doing things for people & I've been through it. I think it would make me a better person & be good for me. I just would like to know what to expect.

MommyOAnna · 09-14-2005, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tiff217

I signed up as a volunteer. Is there anyone who has done this & what it was like if you did? I kind of don't know if I'll be right for it. I like doing things for people & I've been through it. I think it would make me a better person & be good for me. I just would like to know what to expect.

Here is some of the stuff that Kim (one of the founders) wrote me in response to a question I asked her:

Quote:

Let me tell you about the foundation. We are a non profit organization (so we get everything donated) We do have an an accountant and lawyer that handle everything for us. Jim and I do nothing with the money. She makes sure the state or country that it is donated gets bears back.
We do provide you with the everything you need the bears, sympathy cards, business cards, and e-mail addy .
The only thing we ask of you is that you fill out a delivery form for us. This is because we get everything donated so the accountant has to make sure that the bears are going back out and we are not keeping them.
You can do as much or a little as yuou want. You can deliver to hospitals, funeral homes,dr offices, churches. We let that up to you.
You also may hold chat times on the site with other mom''s that may want to talk.
We like to think that the site belongs to everyone and not just us. So any ideas you may have we will be happy to look at.

I hope this helped you out with understanding so about the foundation

I was still a little unsure of how so I had wrote again, and here is the part that she clarified better for me:

Quote:

Anyway to answer your question that is the only thing you have to find is the hospital to deliver them to. Under the Hippa Law we are not permitted to know who gets the bears. That is why we sign the card and give you an e-mail addy.

When I deliver bears I take 5-10 to the hospital OB wing or the sonogram room. Then they give the bears to the mom's or families that have the loss. I take 5 to OB offices and 5 to funeral homes. Then they call me when they need more. (They will call you to get more I will always make sure you have plenty of bears to pass out.

HTH

TurtleLove · 09-14-2005, 08:11 PM

how long after you filled out the volunter form did it take you to hear back from them?

Pretty~in~Pink · 09-14-2005, 08:21 PM

I would also like to know how long it took to get a response. I sent the form Mon. which I know hasn't been long, but just curious. Also, thanks for posting that info!

MommyOAnna · 09-14-2005, 08:24 PM

I actually haven't heard from her in about a week and a half now (last time I wrote was to tell her to hold off sending me bears for about a week because I am moving on Tuesday). I am not sure how long they take to go over the information and what-not, so I truly can't give you an answer on that.

ETA: The first time I emailed, she responded in a few days. They just started it last year, so I am not sure how many people they have doing it all (looking over applications to weed out sincere volunteers, receiving bears and stuff from the donors, sending bears around their own homes and to the volunteers, etc.)besides themselves, the lawyer, and the accountant. Like I said above, the first time she answered in a couple days, this recent time I haven't heard from her again yet... but she could be giving me time to move.

So I hope you get an answer soon