Transforming Lives Through Books and Bears
At our charity, we believe access to education and comforts of home are essential for children to thrive. That's why we launched Books and Bears - to deliver both literacy and joy to underprivileged youth.
During a school supply initiative in the Middle East in 2014, we realized many students also lacked a basic comfort - their own teddy bear. Something to provide warmth in difficult circumstances.
So we began pairing book donations with a special surprise - a brand new teddy bear they could call their own.
The impact has been immense. Not only do the books open new worlds of learning, but the stuffed animals provide comfort and a sense of security. As one child shared, "This bear is my first real toy. I'll hug it every night!"
Since then, we've brought Books and Bears to thousands of children in Turkey, Iraq, Syria, and we're now expanding to Greece. By delivering books and bears, we're giving kids tools to cope, dream big, and elevate their education.
With your help, we can bring the magic of Books and Bears to even more children in underserved communities. You can get involved through:
- Volunteering at our book packing events
- Donating funds to purchase new books and teddy bears
- Spreading the word about Books and Bears on social media
Every child deserves to feel comforted and inspired. Together, through Books and Bears, we can make a difference - one book and one bear at a time.