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BearHug Powered by KOAH!
- Jan 4, 2018
- 4 min read
Military children can handle quite a bit. From near constant moves to frequent separations from one or both parents, Kids Of America's Heroes have a lot on their plates!
Kids of America’s Heroes are trying to make those deployments and separations a little bit easier with a BearHug.
Kids of America’s Heroes is thrilled to power BearHugs!
BearHug, founded by Connecticut high school student Campbell Kinsman in 2015, is focused on sending love to military child with a deployed parent. Campbell started BearHug as part of a high school service project, and it’s been growing ever since! Campbell, and now KOAH volunteers, carefully select age appropriate toys, art supplies, and educational games for each package. Inside every BearHug are notes and letters from other children around the country. Each BearHug shares love and support with military children who might be feeling alone or forgotten during a tough time.
Now, with KOAH on board, BearHug has the potential to reach more military children than ever before.
“About 700 packages have been sent, including the January shipment which I’m sending this week”, KOAH CEO Maria Phillips explained. “(That’s) not including a shipment to Camp Pendleton that contained seven large boxes of toys and letters for 400 kids!”
Right now, 50 Kids Of America's Heroes are anxiously awaiting the delivery of their BearHug in January!
BearHug powered by KOAH serves MilKids of all ages
According to KOAH and BearHug, all military children with a deployed parent are eligible to receive a care package. Kids Of America's Heroes between ages 1 and 17 can register to receive a BearHug. Registration can be completed by a parent, family member, or other loved one.
From sending packages in small batches from her basement, Campbell’s reach has grown by leaps and bounds. Now, with help from KOAH, we hope to reach more military connected children than ever before!
Future BearHugs
With support from corporate sponsors, and you, BearHug Powered by KOAH can absolutely reach hundreds or even thousands of Kids Of America's Hereos in the future.
“Build-A-Bear donated 50 bears, Vineyard Vines has donated twice from our (10% off/10% back) events,” Ms. Phillips said.
At select Vineyard Vines shops, during 10/10 events, shoppers can claim a 10% discount on merchandise. Vineyard Vines will also donate 10% of proceeds directly to BearHug Powered by KOAH.
Even small gifts add up to big things. Every little bit counts and increases the love and support we can share with MilKids around the country.
“Two little boys from Ridgefield (CT) saved up their holiday money and spent it on toys and donated the rest,” Campbell Kinsman shared.
Down the road, BearHug Powered by KOAH hopes to reach thousands of children.
“BearHug is growing each day!” Ms. Phillips said. “It's full potential in the next 5 years would be expanding to a large work space and sending shipments to more military children nationwide. Within the next ten-twenty years, hopefully our outreach extends to most military children and BearHug Powered by KOAH is a commonly-known resource for all Americans” Miss Kinsman added.
Creating a BearHug
Each package costs between $7 and $13 to ship, depending on the weight of the items inside. In the box is where the magic actually happens. Full of fun toys, games, art supplies, and more, these items are purchased with a specific child or age group in mind. This is true whether a BearHug is going directly to an individual MilKid or sent to a military unit for wider reach
So much love and hope is poured into each and every BearHug care package. From the games, toys, and activities that are purchased to handwritten notes from other children, every shipment is overflowing with support from around the country.
Children from around the country are invited to send their love to a military child through notes, drawings, and cards.
How You Can Help
Filling each BearHug with love takes time, and money. The best way to show your support for BearHug Powered by KOAH is through donations.
It’s simple and easy to donate toward sending a BearHug to a military child in need. You’ll feel great knowing that a MilKid is less lonely because of you!
Another way to show your support for MilKids and their families is by sending new games, toys, and other items directly to BearHug. Campbell will know exactly what to do with your kid donations!
It’s important to get your children involved in the donation and volunteering process, too. Invite your child to send a special note to a military child along with your donation.
Know a military child who could use a BearHug? Share this post with them!
No MilKids in your life? That’s ok! Show your support for our military families, especially our MilKids, by donating to fund a BearHug!
Meg Flanagan M.Ed and K.O.A.H. Military Education Specialist
I'm a teacher, author, blogger, writer, runner, mother, and military spouse. I am passionate about helping ALL children learn, offering tips to guide parents through the K-12 education world, and providing useful advice to teachers of all ages and stages.Visit Meg's Blog at MilKidsEd.com
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