Making life bearable

They meet once each month. They have been been doing this for 18 years. Their goal is to make life a little more bearable for children they have never met. They make teddy bears for children, the children who come to the Childrens Justice Center in Provo. There are 15 Childrens Justice Centers throughout the state. They are community based entities that help children who have been abused. The Provo Childrens Justice Center sees 1300 to 1500 kids per year. 90% of them have been sexually abused.

The Teddy Bear Ladies make 50 bears each month and deliver them to the Childrens Justice Center to be given to the children who pass through their doors. For some children, the teddy bears become a symbol of healing. Though the Teddy Bear Ladies never meet the recipients of their gifts, they often hear the stories and they know that they are making a difference.

The Childrens Justice Centers are under the direction of the State Attorney General, Mark Shurtleff. Each Childrens Justice Center receives limited state funding for employee salaries. Each community provides the facility and maintainance plus some of the funding for counseling and training. The rest of the funds come from grants and donations.

At the Childrens Justice Center, counseling is offered for abuse victims and their families. The atmosphere is warm and comfortable, somewhat homelike. Medical Exams are available when needed. Networking with law enforcement officials and other community services is possible. In other words, a variety of help is available, and everyone gets a bear.

If you would like to help the Teddy Bear Ladies, they are would love to have you join them. They meet the 4th Tuesday of each month from 3:00 until 8:00 at the Rock Creek LDS Church at 2445 N. 650 E. in Provo. It’s right next to the Rock Creek Elementary School. Park in the back and join the bearmakers in the Relief Society Room. You can come and go at your convenience during those hours. I showed up at 7:00 last evening and stayed through cleanup, about 9:00 p.m. I stuffed 3 bears. The next Teddy Bear Night will be November 24. In November the ladies will make 100 bears, so that they can take December off. They could really use your help.

If showing up on the 4th Tuesday doesn’t work for you, there are other ways to help. The bears are all sewn before the Teddy Bear Night, ready to be stuffed and decorated. If you like to sew, they will provide the pattern and the fabric and you can sew a few bears at your own pace. This would be a big help. Getting enough bears sewn before Teddy Bear Night is a challenge. Donations of fabric and cash are always welcome. It doesn’t take a lot of fabric to make a bear. Even small pieces can be useful. Cash donations are used to buy stuffing.

If you would like to sew or donate, or if you have questions, call Ruth Brasier at 801-374-9482.

Even bears can make a difference. How about you?

Will I see you there?

Linda Garner