Bonham’s Bears is an all-volunteer group based at Green Bay South, but draws volunteers from Park Place, Paradise Park, and Fun & Sun. Most of the 20 members are Winter Texans. Their loving hands create teddy bears and hand-crocheted bibs.

Linda Greenlee, affectionately called “Mama Bear” for her leadership role, and Sylvia Ney donate the yarn and crochet the bibs on their own time; each bib takes 20 minutes to create.

It is their honor to make teddy bears and donate them to organizations that help children in crisis situations. At the annual teddy bear giveaway, held February 26, they gave away 500 teddy bears. It’s impossible to fully capture the community service these organizations perform, but here are some insights.

Children’s Advocacy Centers of Cameron and Willacy Counties (CACCWC)

CACCWC is a nonprofit staffed with social workers, forensic interviewers, therapists, and family advocates. It saw that abused children were re-traumatized by uncoordinated and repeated questions by well-meaning law enforcement, child welfare, medical, and legal entities. In a child-friendly setting, it coordinates a forensic interview and has grown to meet the long-term needs of the children and their families. CACCWC operates three centers: two in Cameron County (Maggie’s House, Monica’s House) and one in Willacy County (Jesse’s House). CACCWC honored Bonham’s Bears with a “thank you” card and Certificate of Appreciation.

Loaves and Fishes, Rio Grande Valley

Loaves and Fishes gave Bonham’s Bears a wish list that hints at some of their services by asking for items for “Bread of Life Dining Hall – Kitchen Area,” “Open Arms Shelter (Men’s & Women’s),” “Great Physician Healthy Living,” and “Reborn from the Ashes Mental Health Counseling.” Being a small group, Bonham’s Bears asks you to contact Loaves and Fishes if you can help meet their wish list.

Dining hall needs include fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, milk, eggs, oil, coffee and bread. The shelter needs bleach, Fabuloso, floor brushes, laundry soap, towels, shampoo, blankets, and pillowcases. Blood pressure cuff, Theraflu, Tylenol (kids and adults), test cloths, and otoscope for ear checks are a few items the healthy living program needs.

For counseling, the organization needs puzzles, dominoes, Uno, playing cards, Jenga and Azul games, acrylic paints, markers, artwork canvases, a laminating machine, and notebooks or journals. Disposable utensils, cups and plates, takeout containers, paper towels, toilet tissue, and dish soap are a few general items they need. In the office, donations of copier paper (letter and legal), business envelopes, oscillating fan, and scissors are greatly appreciated.

Ronald McDonald House Charities South Texas

Neydin Costilla is the Ronald McDonald Family Room Manager at the South Texas Health System Children’s Hospital in Edinburg. She spoke of recent growth and expansion of Ronald McDonald House services in Corpus Christi, Harlingen, and Edinburg. The Corpus Christi house is expanding to 45 rooms. Services are offered 24/7 even during holidays. In Edinburg, the family room gets 30 visits a day from families seeking a break. They are offered coffee, popcorn, and individually wrapped simple foods. Neydin says it means a lot to see the kids’ smiles at getting coloring books and teddy bears.

Harlingen Fire Department 

Harlingen Firefighters said children are scared during incidents they respond to. It’s usually the driver who takes them teddy bears and sees the frowns turn upside down.

Harlingen Police Department

Harlingen Police has a community police role that includes a homeless liaison and street patrols. When you call 911 for an emergency, because emergency responders work together and the police are on the streets, the police may respond before the firefighters or ambulance gets there. The police can give them a situation report and direct traffic and identify nearby parking areas. In crisis, children need a toy.

One police officer added that the teddy bears seem to have personalities. Bonham’s Bears member Rose Luck said “Yes, they do, because they are made with love and transmit that love.”

Children’s Bereavement Center Rio Grande Valley (CBC-RGV)

CBC-RGV offers free professional counselling to grieving children, teens and their families at their Harlingen and McAllen sites. There are therapy rooms, sensory rooms, peer support groups, individual and family counselling, grief camps, and grief education to teachers. Donations and volunteers are welcomed.

Texas Department of Family Protective Services – Rainbow Room

Connie Vega is regional coordinator over 17 Rainbow Rooms in 19 Texas counties. The Rainbow Rooms are open 24/7 to offer abused or neglected children a ray of hope by giving them new items. The Rainbow Room top 10 wish list (all items need to be new) includes diapers, car seats, school supplies, formula, personal hygiene items, toys and children’s books, children’s clothing, household cleaning supplies, blankets, and “pack ‘n’ play” portable play yards. 100% of your donations stay in your community.

La Feria Volunteer Fire Department (also representing La Feria Police Dept.)

As the Harlingen Police Department stated, emergency responders work together to support each other. Bonham’s Bears member Maple Frye offered her own story. She called 911 last year for an ambulance. The ambulance people needed help carrying her husband down the steps to the ambulance. They called the La Feria Fire Department, who quickly responded. Maple thanked them. The La Feria Fire Department asked if they could pick up teddy bears for the La Feria Police Department. Bonham’s Bears agreed to the request.

The La Feria Police Department gave a written statement, “The teddy bears help us tremendously with the children we encounter while on duty, whether we are out on the road or assisting families in the office…. Providing a teddy bear helps children stay calm and feel safe … [in] an unfamiliar and stressful environment. The teddy bears truly put a smile on each child’s face. We sincerely thank you for what you do. We look forward to your generous donation every year.”

Family Crisis Center

The Family Crisis Center, Inc. offers a 24-hour hotline, 24-hour access to emergency shelter, counselling, violence prevention programs to schools, and its staff will accompany victims to the hospital, police interviews, and court proceedings. The Family Crisis Wish List includes towels, shampoo, body wash, toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, diapers, canned food, baby food, baby formula, baby cereal, wipes, baby bottles, sippy cups, and women’s business wear (sizes XL, 2XL). Volunteers will be trained in publicity, fundraising, and clerical duties.

Special Thanks

Bonham’s Bears offers their thanks to Stephanie Green and 484th District Juvenile Court Judge Adela Kowalski-Garza for their donations to Bonham’s Bears. They also offer thanks to “The Winter Texan Times” for publishing news of our annual teddy bear giveaway event.

 

 

Photo Captions

Connie Vega, Rainbow Room Coordinator

Mama Bear Linda Greenlee standing between Family Crisis Center’s Community Support Staff

Bonham’s Bears member Tam Springer standing between Harlingen Policemen

Bonham’s Bears member Cathy Magnuson standing between Harlingen firefighters

Bonham Bears volunteers