Anyone who’s lost a loved one knows the comfort a special memento – a shirt, a photo, a well-loved armchair – can bring.
Newmarket’s Doane House Hospice are bringing these special memories to life through their Memory Bears program, which builds keepsake teddy bears from the special clothing of ill or passed loved ones.
Founded 20 years ago, hundreds of people of all backgrounds, ages, and religions in the area have found comfort in the bears, which can be made from a variety of fabric and clothing – shirts, blankets, work uniforms, and more.
“Instead of a piece of clothing hanging in their closet, they can take this little bear and put it on their bed, hug it, whatever they want, in memory of their loved one,” said Chrissie Flynn, administrative assistant with Doane House Hospice. “It’s a very sweet program.”
Flynn has spearheaded the Memory Bears program for the past five years, seeing each order through from start to finish. Once a loved one’s clothing has been received, the bears are crafted by a talented team of volunteer seamstresses, who donate their time to customize each bear to the clients’ preferences – certain fabrics for certain sections of the bear, special clothing, and even different designs. Fabricland Newmarket provides discounted stuffing, helping to keep costs low.
“The community really pitches in,” said Flynn.
To help fund the hospice and support the Memory Bears program, Doane House asks for a $45 donation per bear – though the quantity of bears produced for each client is unlimited. To date, the largest order Flynn has overseen is 31 different bears for a single client.
Families can expect to receive their bears in four to six weeks, along with all excess or unused materials.
“I love when they come to pick up their bears,” said Flynn. “We cry together, because it’s very emotional. It’s very lovely.”
Uniquely, Memory Bears are not solely for clients whose loved ones have passed. Bears can also be made for families of people who are seriously ill or in other difficult situations, helping provide comfort in troubled times.
In addition to Newmarket and surrounding areas, Doane House Hospice extends the Memory Bear program to people who live outside of the community. As a not-for-profit, they’re able to issue tax receipts for bear donations.
“I love seeing people get pleasure and comfort from the bears,” said Flynn. “I love meeting them, talking to them, seeing their reactions when they come to get them. It’s just lovely.”
