A stuffed animal is cozy, soft, squishy and huggable, but what happens when you dress them, adding clothes and accessories to complement their appeal. It turns a stuffed animal into a super hero, sports star, princess, disco queen, Dr, Harry Potter or a myriad of movie characters.
A couple of weeks ago, we (The Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club) created 50 stuffed animals at the Build a Bear Store for donation to Los Angeles General Medical Center. Once donated, the Doctors and Nurses select from the cache and match them up with the cancer afflicted and injured children who are in desperate need of comfort. Typically, these children are from families who could never afford or be able to provide these expensive bears. We and they have been doing this for these severely under privileged for 20+ years and have countless stories of how it altered the course of these children and their families’ lives.
This time for some reason, it was even more of a feel good project. This time as we made bears, we were in community, having fun in each other’s presence and fellowship, whistling while we worked creating bears, lovingly naming them and writing notes to the children who would receive them. People brought their children and grandchildren who understood these bears were not for them and happily surrendered their creations. Truly service above self… what a beautiful life lesson at such tender ages.
Interesting how each participant’s personality on some level was reflected in the bear they created. Having the eye of a Fashionista, I particularly enjoyed the application of accessories (shoes, hats, goggles, sunglasses, capes), you name it. These bears take on personality and specific appeal which the lead MD matches to the needs of the children. It is pretty magical how she reads their needs and plugs into that gap which is filled with so sweetly with this inanimate object they bring to life with a combination of love and need. Wouldn’t it be amazing to be able to listen in on their conversation? You know they do communicate at a level we could never understand.
The photographs above are of the 4 bears I made that day, surely you notice the bling factor in each of them. Sparkle, glow, sweetness I believe will help the children to transcend their situation and give them hope to dream.
Perhaps, you will think of the bears when dressing yourself with some uplifting aspects too. Doesn’t matter how old you are… to Dream is your right and might just wind up helping you to Glow from the inside out.
Be well, Be Stylish, Be Happy and Glow with me!