ABOUT
OUR MISSION
Bears Who Care brings comfort and engages the imaginations of ill and disadvantaged children during times of need through teddy bears and books. We inspire them and create happy memories for years to come.
WHO WE SUPPORT
Our organization supports children between ages 1 through 12 in the Central Florida area, who have been affected by an illness, injury, disaster or financial hardship.
Bears Who Care is dedicated to encouraging literacy and bringing comfort to a diverse student community, specifically those who are underrepresented (minorities and economically disadvantaged.)
WHAT WE PROVIDE
We deliver plush teddy bears and books to the children and organizations we serve. Our teddy bears and books are purchased new and donated with no financial restitution expected in return. Bears Who Care is funded solely through donations, which means we rely on corporations, organizations and individuals to help us continue our efforts.
The Bears Who Care Story
OUR STORY
Bears Who Care was founded by Tad and Kari Schmitz in 2008, who were motivated to bring a charity to life by some truly memorable family members.
The books are inspired by Kari’s parents, Jon and Nancy Kron, who were dedicated and well-respected teachers with a lifelong passion for reading. Nancy, in particular, was a remedial reading teacher who spent most of her life helping children who had difficulty learning to read.
Ted Schmitz, Tad’s grandfather, was a loving and wise man, whose spirit and name is the foundation for the teddy bear. Tad and Kari’s wish is to establish a powerful connection between reading and caring, which will benefit children in a true time of need and leave a legacy for future generations.