Stories with Heart.
We would love to hear your story on how your bear helped you.
Thank you, team, for making a positive impact in a really bad situation.
Your rainbow fish stuffy was given to us at Dominican Hospital ER when our daughter Hannah was admitted unresponsive with what turned out to be an unprovoked severe seizure lasting over an hour and leaving her on a ventilator. She was unable to receive the stuffy at the time, but once she woke up at Stanford Pediatric ICU and I gave it to her, she never let go of it through all the tests. She named the stuffy Rowdy Fish. Hannah has recovered well and still loves rowdy fish. Thank you ❤️🩹
– Annette B.
03/08/23
We want to express how much of an impact Teddy Bears with Heart has made in our community. It has been a tremendous privilege in knowing there are still a few people in this world such as Susie Hanson, who can change someone’s current situation with a simple and kind gesture. A dedicated, motivated, and inspirational leader, who has taken action in making a significant impact in not just the community, but in the state of California.
Gifting stuffed animals to the elderly, forgotten, terminally ill, or those in need, with a simple request, is rarely unheard of. A group of passionate volunteers who take significant time out of their life to help those in need, says a lot about this organization.
We want to thank Susie and her team for making a significant impact on everyone who has received a stuffed animal. The face of a child who is currently in a stressful part in their life who is then gifted a bear, immediately turning a frown into a smile knowing there is still hope in this world, is priceless. It’s the simple and kind gestures who change someone’s perspective and feel cared for. We want to thank Susie and her team for making a change in this world.
Thank you,
– Marin County Probation Department
01/21/23
Our daughter received a teddy bear on her second day in ER. It comforted her then and she is sleeping with it now. She wanted me to let you know how much it means to her!
12/07/22
On behalf of my family and little one I would like to thank your organization for thinking of comforting the ones in need.
My son Andy (13 months old)was recently hospitalized with RSV and pneumonia. He was very sick and in the emergency department at Natividad Hospital he was given a green dinosaur to comfort him.
Even though he was sick he truly enjoyed the company of his new fluffy friends. Thank you for putting a smile on children in need.
10/06/22
Thank you for this wonderful, heartfelt service you offer to our homeless! Please know that your organization is truly appreciated.
– City of Salinas
09/30/22
My daughter was recently in the ER at CHOMP hospital and one of the nurses gave her a colorful TY pillow that she hugged on while being poked and prodded. It even helped her during her transport to Stanford. Thank you for the thoughtful gift, while so simple it meant a lot to her and us.
– JT
08/15/22
Kay’Lynn was gifted a bear by a sweet receptionist at CHOMP. Came in with a bad earache, and this made her hospital visit more helpful.
– EG
07/25/22
Thanks for the teddy bear you gifted our son during a visit to the hospital for bronchitis. It definitely helped distract his attention.
– CC
07/21/22
My son Joseph has an identical twin Brother named Jordan and they’re never apart. This morning at 2am Joseph woke up really sick and I rushed him to the hospital without his brother. He was feeling really scared and was missing his other half! Security at Dominican came up to him with his stuffed animal and right away Joseph named him Puppy. I wanted to say thank you because his visit at Dominican Hospital was a lot better with Puppy by his side. He’s been making sure Puppy gets a part of his blanket ever since this morning.
Thank you again!! It really helped not only him in his visit today but me as well.
– DT
07/25/22
Thank you so much for your donation for the American Legion Auxiliary District 28 project. As a district we distributed gifts to Children of Active Military Members from the Navy, Army, and Marine Corp in the Monterey area. We are all so thankful for the teddy bears you donated for the toddlers and some of the older kids as well. The military families were very appreciative for all of your efforts.
– American Legion Auxiliary
04/25/22
My son woke up in the middle of the night and had trouble breathing. Upon arriving to the hospital we found out he was positive for covid. And needed oxygen. A nurse was kind enough to give him one of your teddy bears which was a dog. And that help him relax and after the bear wearing the mask he decided to put it on. And as he progressed and just went to inhaler he had "Bingo" have some puffs. He then would take his turn. It made a great impact on him and us as it help comfort him in such a scary situation. He takes his stuff dog everywhere he can. Thanks soo much!
– YR
04/10/22
I wanted to express my gratitude to you and your organization. My two-year-old granddaughter was a recent patient at the CHOMP ER and one of your bears turned the tide of her visit. We shall be forever grateful.
Thank you!
– TJ
01/19/22
Thank you for the stuffed animal. My daughter broke her arm yesterday. It was the most painful experience and Dominican hospital gave her this stuffed animal to hold when she really needed it. Brought it to Stanford for surgery too.
– JT
01/19/22
My son had an accident with significant bleeding on his head. The paramedics and the police arrived within minutes of my contact with 911. They gave my son a teddy bear that night. The bleeding wouldn’t stop And we had to take our son to the ER, where he was treated for a small head wound. This bear helped create a narrative for my son and it helped to process the trauma. When he talks about the night, he remembers blood, his own bravery, and his bear. I remember fear but also kindness, generosity, and understanding. He continues to tell his story, with his bear. We want to say thank you!
– BG
01/18/22
We recently had a 17 year old placed under our care and CPS gave her a dog named Chance from you. She really loves the dog and it makes her feel comfortable in our home.
Blessings and thank you for what you do!
– TF
01/11/22
Thank you very much for your generous Christmas donation to Ave Maria Senior Living!
Our relatively small size, along with an experienced, loving staff, helps to create a personal and home-like environment at Ave Maria for the seniors who live here.
We are grateful for your support and compassion of our assisted living community and our current residents are benefiting from your thoughtful donation. Teddy Bears with Heart has a wonderfully supportive mission!
– Ave Maria Senior Living
01/09/22
Thank you for the bear for our daughter Ava. It comforted and entertained her while the ER today!
– RD
12/10/21
My son Ray visited the Dominican Hospital ER with an arm injury. While he is fortunately doing ok, it seems like he may have a fracture (seeing Orthopedics next week to confirm), and it was definitely a traumatic experience for him.
When the nurses came to wrap his arm and put it into a splint, they also provided us with the sweetest stuffed animal rabbit.
– MA
12/08/21
I wanted to say how grateful I am for your kindness. My little brother loves his new stuffed animal!
– ZC
11/30/21
My poor handicap son has been to the hospital too many times. Yet when he receives those cute bears, he squeezes them tight and becomes braver to undergo hospital treatments and xrays. Thanks so much for having the most important organization to help our special families and those in need. We are forever thankful for giving my special boy teddy bears to cheer him up. The good news is he can now walk and talk with adaptive equipment and he takes his teddy bears you give him everywhere!
– AM
11/11/21
My son was injured and we had to rush him to the ER at CHOMP for stitches. He was very excited about getting ice cream and tripped while running to the kitchen and split his head open when he hit a corner. There was blood everywhere and it was very scary. He was so brave throughout the whole experience but his face absolutely lit up when they brought out his stuffed animal. He’s been sleeping with it since. You guys have a great program.
Thanks so much!
– KS
09/17/21
Hi!!! My name is Harper and I received this bear when I went to the ER for an appendectomy.
I love my panda and bring him everywhere!!! Thank you so much for the bear, I will take great care of him.
– HL
07/23/21
Hello, my name is Eden and a while ago my 4 year old daughter, Isabella, had an accident at home. She got a 3 inch slash on her inner upper arm and it was quite gruesome.
As we got to the ER, we realized she could only go in with one parent due to the covid precautions at the moment. So, I reluctantly decided to go with her as her father stayed outside.
The Dr. explained that the anesthetic injection would take longer to kick in and it would be quite painful, so Isabella decided she was not going to get it.
The doctor went ahead and started to suture her wound and ohhh boy, I think it hurt me more than it hurt Isabella. The doctor was so impressed that she came back with one of your little plushies! She got a pink penguin named Penny and it's still going strong in the BFF plushie spots on her bed. I understand they were for a different distress that children would experience, but I just wanted to stop by and say how happy and immediate relief and comfort the Pink Penguin brought to her....and to me.
Gracias, once again. Best wishes and may you continue this lovely mission!
– EG
07/16/21
We are so grateful for the teddy bear donations. Just yesterday I was able to witness first hand, now that we returned to Court, when the Judge offered two of the stuffed animals you provided to us in the last batch (rainbow unicorns) end up being selected by two little girls ages 2 and 4. They could not stop celebrating their new gift and kept laughing and playing for the entire length of the court hearing. The Judge had a huge smile on his face! It was a classic moment for all of us in the court room that deal with such difficult, and oftentimes, sad moments.
Before I accept more stuffed animals, I wanted to check in with Ana and Yosie who have a good idea of what the need might be right now. We have a couple more bags full of stuffed animals but since we have opened our offices and Court has opened their offices again, we will still sharing the love again!
– Court Appointed Special Advocates For Children
06/30/21
Just wanted to say that last night my son was in the E.R at Dominican hospital where he needed a breathing treatment. Jordan was nervous he let the doctors work with him and he was given a beautiful “Stuffy” he’s a panda! And Jordan loves him so much ❤️ He has been taking him everywhere around the house!!! Thank you so much jordans “panda” is a blessing we appreciate your help this means so much to Jordan and our family
– SR
05/28/21
I wanted to extend our sincerest thanks for the bear we received when we had to rush our not-quite 3-year-old daughter to the ER. She aspirated a piece of carrot into her lung at dinner which ended up requiring a 1am ambulance transport from Dominican in Santa Cruz to Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford. “Indy” the bear (daughter named her immediately upon arrival at the ER) was our constant companion and most certainly eased the stress and pain of the ordeal. Our daughter successfully went through the procedure to remove the carrot and one month later, all is well. And Indy still joins us for many-a-meal.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for the comfort provided by your kindness and generosity.
– CN
05/21/21
Thanks for our stuffed animal this morning at Watsonville Community Hospital. It really made our surgery process go smoother for our sweet girl.
– GM
05/08/21
Thank you for our journey bear to help my 4 year old boy through surgery getting his tonsils out. It very much brightened his day and comforted him. Elliot says thank you!
We appreciate you kindness!
– EC
04/08/21
My 2 year old daughter loves her duck stuff animal. We received our animal during Easter Estravaganza. It been a week of quack quack as soon as she see him. It brings her joys. Her eyes light up. It make me smile seeing her play.
Also my 12 year enjoyed received a little blue bear that says a prayer. Seeing it made it smile and talk to me about her your years. She was happy reminiscing about her non tween years. She use to have that bear a few years ago.
Thank you!
– CA
12/30/20
Thank you for the stuffed animals! Our care home residents love them. It’s been an especially hard year for them because of covid.
– KM
12/17/20
Thank you for the unicorn gift. It means a lot to me. I am a widow and my family lives in Ohio and Florida. Thanks again for. gift. Merry Christmas and happy new year 2021.
– JL
11/02/20
Hope is also an important aspect of what our Family Resource Centers provide to these families in need. Hope creates an idea that goals can be achieved. The Center provides a seed of hope to the children creating a desire in them to do their best in school and understand that they too have an opportunity to go to college, to have a career, and to end the poverty they are experiencing as children when they are adults. This supporting environment helps children to understand their self-worth and heighten their self-esteem. The program offers a truth to homeless and foster children that they desperately need to know. This truth is that every child in America has a right and the opportunity to achieve their dreams through education. Many homeless and foster children fall behind in school. This creates frustration in the children, the feeling of inadequacy, truancy, anger, and a downhill slope in self-esteem and school grades. It is the goal of our program to lift these children up by providing them with basic school supplies, programs and support that will level the field for them at school and beyond. Just like many other organizations we have also received extreme budget cuts. We had reached out to you for the sake of our homeless & foster children in Salinas. Your collaborative efforts have provided …..800 stuffed animals and 100 children’s masks. This has gone specifically towards our district’s collaborative, community efforts to promote the Family Resource Center and its client services for our homeless and foster youth.
– CC & FRC Team
10/26/19
My daughter loved this little teddy it helped her after she got her blood drawn to feel happy she said thank you
– L
10/01/19
Hello, My name is Jenn and Saturday night one of my 2 year old twin daughters, Emily, broke her femur. Here’s what happened. We were feeling lazy after flying home from vacation and didn’t have any groceries so we decided to stop by the park for a few minutes before going out to eat. I announced we had 2 minutes left before we had to leave the park and told the kids they should pick their favorite thing to do before we left. David, Emily, and I chose the see-saw; don’t worry, it was fun. However, when we were getting off, David’s foot caught on the seat and he tripped and landed on Emily 😩 The rest is history. I knew it was serious pretty quickly, whether I wanted to believe it or not. My strong, non-cryer was wailing in pain and wouldn’t stop unless I was holding her tightly. I was holding her so tightly in my arms it felt like I was hugging a broken vase so it didn’t shatter. The ride in the ambulance to the hospital was hard. My whole body was shaking and I felt like my muscles were going to give out. I had to muster up every fiber of mom-strength I had to keep my baby held tight and out of as much pain as possible. I was uncomfortable in every way but I didn’t move a muscle for fear of it causing my baby girl more pain. With every bump on the road my baby was screaming in agony OUCHIE BUMP OUCHIE BUMP MAMAAAA!!! I know baby 😭😭😭😭
02/04/19
SR: C.C was in the ER in Santa Cruz over the weekend. After some tests and x-rays it was determined she has RSV. This fluffy bunny made her day!
12/01/19
I wanted to send this card to thank you for my bear. You have a great mission to complish, and I thank God your your ministry. I was feeling depressed and your give made me smile and cried for you bring me a moment of joy. I appreciate your beautiful gift of a Pink Teddy Bear with Heart. May God bless you, and continue to bless providing to your mission in order for your mission to continue to bring joy, and a smile to those as me that feels lonely through this Holiday Season.
– AS
12/ 16/19
Dear Ms. Hanson,
Thank you so very much for the wonderful thousand stuffed animals that you donated to Nancy’s Project. We will be able to distribute these to the needy farm labor families of the Salinas Valley. What joy you will have brought to the young children’s faces.
All of your efforts have made such a difference to the families during the holiday season.
We sincerely appreciate your wonderful donation. Thank you, again.
Sincerely,
Sally Districh – Secretary – Nancy’s Project
12/12/19
Dear Supporter –
Northern California Van Council (NCVC) would like to thank your organization’s donation of stuffed animals at our Vanning for Tots event held at the American Legion Post in Marina, CA on December 7, 2019.
Your donations, along with donations from Sons of the Legion 694 and NCVC, was distributed to local and other Northern California toy drives and helped NCVC meet their goals to spread joy to children at the Holidays.
Thank you once again for your generosity and we look forward to your continuing support next year.
Regards,
Paula Anderson
Treasurer
Northern California Van Council
08/19/19
Hi!!
A genuine thank you from our family for supplying the CHOMP ER with stuffed animals for kids.
An evening five weeks after we brought home our newborn, my oldest, two year old Tallulah, fell running down the hallway. Immediately we knew it was a different kind of cry and she’d need to visit the ER. She was terrified of the hospital even more than the pain, and to top it off I needed to stay home with the baby since we don’t have any family in the area and are new here. She was terrified. Getting the stuffed dog turned a scary experience for her into an awesome one. She thought it was so cool and immediately calmed down. It made a big difference in her experience.
Let me know how I can make a donation so other little people can feel the love. Also, I’m a professional photographer (website below) so if you would to utilize my services to assist your nonprofit let me know and I would be happy to help.
Thanks again!
02/4/19
C.C was in the ER in Santa Cruz over the weekend. After some tests and x-rays it was determined she has RSV. This fluffy bunny made her day!
10/15/18
Thank you for the comfort bear. It helped 2 year old Ceci to feel more comfortable during our recent scary trip to the Dominican ER with unknown amount of ingested medicine.
Thankfully Ceci is just fine and it was all a false alarm…she loves to feed and take care of her new bear…even sharing her super special treat of Cheetos at the hospital she normally would share with anyone….she wont let the bear go and says it helped her be brave (yes she’s very communicative even at 2) Thank you for your thoughtfulness!
Love, the Petersons
10/1/18
My son, his wife and my grandson and his wife took me out for my birthday dinner. Had a nice time, took the bear with us too. The bear was there the bear didn’t say a word, but the bear was there. Thanks for the bear and… have nice days always.
Albert E
09/18/18
Dear Susie,
(Teddy Bears with heart)
Thank you for the stuffed penguin, aka “Twinkles”. I had to bring my son Justus to the ER the other night, he hit his head on the bathtub faucet. Of course he was nervous, this was his first trip to the ER. As soon as we walked in the kind security guard greeted us and helped us, and as we were getting checked in he handed us the penguin. What a sweet ministry you run! “Twinkles” got cuddled all night (we were in the ER for quite a while). Justus even fell asleep a couple times in the waiting room, all the while holding his penguin.
Thank you again for this thoughtful ministry. Justus is still healing up but I wanted to send a thank you and let you know what you are doing is making a difference.
Thank you again,
Briana (and Justus)
04/25/18
Hi Teddy Bears with Heart staff,
My daughter had a hard time getting a blood test. When she got the teddy bear which you provided afterwards, she was so happy! It made such a big difference as to which direction her day was going to go, whether to feel bad about her blood test or to be so grateful for her bear 🙂 She was super grateful and happy.
Thank you,
Maria
04/05/18
Hello there!
I wanted to write to thank y’all for the Teddy Bear my daughter Lily received while being treated at Dominican Hospital on Friday 04/13. She was treated for strep throat and was given the bear to help her be brave while getting her shot of penicillin. She did so awesome and squeezed her bear super tight. Thank you for the service you are providing, it truly is great!!
Thanks again,
Melissa & Lily
09/10/15
‘Dr. Pink’, my 6 year old daughter’s teddy bear given to her on 6/14/2015 in the CHOMP emergency room the morning she was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, has a special place in the hearts of our family members (and on Ms. M’s bed). We were in such a hurry to get Ms. M to the ER that I didn’t even think to grab a lovey. The generous gift of Dr. Pink by one of the ER nurses really helped to relax and focus us all on the love and support that the medical staff at CHOMP (and later at Stanford Children’s Hospital) were giving Ms. M.
Thank you so much for making my little girl smile in a time of such confusion, uncertainly and pain. It’s an immeasurable gift!
Sincerely,
The ***** Family
09/17/15
I have a teddy bear that was sent to me when I was going through breast cancer surgeries. That bear went to surgery with me, & has gone through several other surgeries with me. She sits with the anesthesiologist & is in my arms when I wake up. It is definitely a comfort to have that hug when in the hospital, as well as at home. She was sent to my by a friend in the Rocky Mountain Good Bears den.
Hugs,
Susie Johansson, Bearo # 849, Western Regional Membership Coordinator Good Bears of the World.
06/17/15
Susie,
On behalf of A Time For Grieving and Healing and 100 Mother’s we are very grateful for your generous donations of love. The teddy bears have made so many children and hurting MOTHER’S smile.
Thank you and all of your selfless volunteers who bag, tag, deliver to us at our front door.
God bless you and yours,
Debbie Aguilar
Founder
10/25/13
I cannot thank Teddy Bears with Heart enough for their ongoing donation of bears to our patients and families. The bears have been incredibly well received and loved all around the hospital. Susan Hanson has been such a joy to work with, and I can truly feel their dedication to us through Susan’s ongoing drive to expand her organization and generosity. The bears we get have been used to help a child through a difficult procedure, brighten up a child’s day, and bring a sense of normalcy into the lives of our patients and families we work with on a daily basis. Thank you so very much Teddy Bears with Heart!
Allison Brooks, MA, CCLS
Child Life Specialist
Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital
10/24/13
As a Firefighter with The Monterey Fire Department I have had the pleasure of working with TBWH and seeing how their organization has touched the lives and brightened the days of many children in rough times. They supply stuffed animals to ambulance, fire and police departments for distribution at the emergencies. As a professional I am very impressed with what this organization is doing.
In June my son was diagnosed with cancer. I got to see and feel first hand the joy it brought my son when the transporting ambulance crew gave him one of the stuffed animals that TBWH supplied them. We contacted Susan Hanson from TBWH and sent her pictures of our son with his toy. We kept in contact with Susan as we began the treatment. TBWH went even further and found that many children from this area are transported regularly to Lucille Packard for treatment. They contacted Lucille Packard and have begun to supply many more sick children with toys for comfort. This organization truly has a HEART for children (and adults). My family and many others have been blessed by the generosity of this amazing organization.
Sincerely,
Vincent W. Lombardi
04/8/13
I am the Fire Prevention Specialist II for the Madera– Mariposa- Merced Unit of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. One of my duties is to coordinate the “Hug A Bear” program for our Unit. This program supplies all of our fire engines at 42 fire stations with “bears” generously provided to us by Teddy Bears with Heart.
These “bears” come to us brand new, individually wrapped and with an identification tag. This may not seem like a lot but to someone on a fire engine it is huge. The bears “ride along” with our engine crews and would become very dirty very quickly if not securely wrapped.
I have listened to comments from EMT’s and fire engine crews on how valuable these bears are during a crisis for a child and their family. It provides that child with comfort and hope.
Teddy Bears with Heart are an excellent organization and I am so grateful for their support. My position is incredibly busy but one item I do not have to worry or plan is our shipments of “teddy bears” for the stations. I am routinely contacted by Teddy Bear with Heart to check on our inventory and coordinate the next shipment.
I would like to take this opportunity to say how thankful I am to be associated with Teddy Bears with Heart and hope our partnership continues for many years.
Sincerely,
Karen Guillemin, Fire Prevention Specialist II
03/21/13
Imagine for a moment being a child and hearing that you have to stay overnight in the hospital. How would you feel in a strange place with strange people and strange gadgets? All the different sounds, beeps and alarms. Nurses invading your space — listening, poking, and prodding. Kind of scary, right?
Now imagine that same place with a cuddly teddy bear to hold and to hug when you’re feeling scared. A teddy bear provides comfort, security, and even distractions when new people are coming in and out of your room at all hours of the day and night.
I am a nurse at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula on Main West and thanks to Teddy Bears with Heart, our unit has been able to provide teddy bears and a little bit of comfort and security to many scared hospitalized children. The bears have provided simple conversation starters such as “So, what have you named your teddy bear?” Or they’ve helped make a child comfortable before an assessment, when the nurse first listens to the teddy bear’s heart and asks, “How fast do you think a bear’s heart beats?” They provide distraction when we have to perform an unfamiliar task such as starting or removing an IV. But the best part is the patients get to take the bears home. We hope the bear will be a reminder of the special nurse who gave it to him or took such good care of her, rather than the scary, strange place it could have been.
Thank you, Teddy Bears with Heart. You have made a difference in the comfort and security of many children of all ages with your generous donations of cute and cuddly teddy bears.