By Amie
Bear Hugs for ME has become a full-time charity project that I run from my bed. I am always making bears and taking new requests from other people with ME. I make each bear special for the individual, always with a personalized sweater. To date, I have made 14 total bears and I still currently have 6 more on my list to do. With my bears, I have made it my mission to spread hope, love, kindness and a little happiness in an illness that can be so isolating. I also hope to help spread awareness for ME and support ME research.
When people request a bear I never charge for them. Instead, I ask that they make a donation to OMF no matter how small if they are able. I still, of course, make a bear for them even if they can’t donate because I know many with ME are in difficult financial situations. I will also help pay the shipping to send someone a bear if they cannot pay shipping. I have sent bears to many countries outside of the US including England, Ireland, Scotland, Norway, and The Netherlands.
I plan to continue making bears and am always taking new requests. I can only make about 1 bear a week depending on my health but as long as people are willing to be patient I don’t mind adding more to my list. I am also thinking about possible ideas to eventually expand my charity to further help raise awareness as well as supporting OMF. I want to do as much as I can to help support OMF so we can find the answers we need to improve the lives of those with ME and to eventually find a treatment.
I now have a website that explains all about my bears and also has pictures of my bears.
My official twitter account for Bear Hugs can be found here.
Donate your appreciated stock directly to OMF and you can receive an immediate income-tax deduction for the fair market value of the securities on the date of transfer (even if you originally paid much less for them).