The Spinoza® Bear is a talking teddy bear that speaks and sings to the fears, insecurities, and physical and emotional challenges faced by the children who receive him. In the broad sense, however, the family (if there is one) becomes the secondary beneficiary as they share in their child’s gift and gain strength and comfort of their own. One of the tracks on the bear’s internal CD is entitled “Hold on to Me” and was created to help people cope with grief and loss, death and dying. Spinoza demonstrates the stages of grieving through a sensitive and comforting story followed by three beautiful songs.
The Spinoza Bear Project began in 1999, and since that time, more than 50 bears have found their way into the hearts and homes of children and families who have felt afraid and alone. In 2005, one of our club members lost her 37-year-old son to a sudden heart attack. The Club presented a bear to Jay’s young daughter, and as Grandma Ruth sat with Alexis and “George” listening to his soothing voice, Ruth felt enormous strength and calmness. Since that time, Ruth has become the “official” spokesperson for our club – spreading the word about Spinoza. Ruth has truly paved the way to success for our Club’s project, and in recognition for her passion and dedication, she was voted the Region 5 Regional Star in 2008.
Spinoza Bears are given to children who are facing serious challenges or a major crisis in their lives (i.e. long-term or terminal illness, abuse, death of a sibling or parent, extreme emotional crisis) and need the support of a friend who speaks just to them with a gentle voice or song, does not judge them on any level, and provides the security of a soft hug. A young toddler is soothed by his bear’s gentle voice after the death of his baby sister, a young girl with cancer is better able to handle the pain of chemotherapy by hugging her new friend, and a teen who has been abandoned by his mother finds security in the words and songs of the bear who shares his bed every night.
Sioux Falls Daybreak Kiwanis Club members recommend recipients based on personal knowledge of a challenging situation while other requests come to us from organizations and agencies where clients/patients have received bears in the past and from suggestions or requests from other Kiwanis clubs in our area.
In an effort to grow our project, we submitted a grant proposal to the Kiwanis International Foundation and received word in July that our request had been funded. With $3,400 now available to purchase up to twenty more bears, we are moving forward as a club to change the world, one child and one community at a time with the help of a bear who is big enough and round enough to accommodate the hug of someone who needs it.
On the last day of 2009--- at our Daybreak meeting we heard from Karen Hattervig who heads up the Angel Car program in Sioux Falls. The retired attorney is one of six women that gave away 51 cars to single moms and dads in 2009. As we explained the Spinoza bear she told us that her 38 year old son-in-law had died suddenly and a few weeks later his 3 year old was diagnosed with leukemia. The child --Mathias -- was featured on a 30 minute show on KELO-TV. After hearing of the story -- Daybreak went into special business session and approved giving the family a spinoza bear. The head of the Angel Car program admitted -- "while I was learning about the bear I was wondering if I could afford to buy one." Now she doesn't have to and a head "angel" was thanked by our own "special spinoza angel program." More to come for those that need help in 2010.
For more information kherreid08@gmail.com
