Скачать или смотреть Memory Bear Program at Sharp HealthCare

The Memory Bear Program at Sharp HospiceCare has impacted families far and wide. The program began in 2001 with a local quilter. With the quilter’s permission the program was brought to Sharp HospiceCare. Denise Kelly, program coordinator for Sharp HospiceCare Volunteer Services, says the mission for the program is to give families a special keepsake to remember their loved ones that have passed away, so that they live on through their garments in a special bear.

Each bear is lovingly handcrafted by dedicated volunteers who pour their time, passion and care into every stitch. With fabrics ranging in print, texture and style, no two bears are alike, making every bear truly one of a kind. Once the fabric pieces are prepared, they’re sent to the sewers’ homes, where these talented volunteers work their magic.

Heidi Rogers, one of the volunteer sewers, was drawn to the memory bears program for her love of sewing.

“Each bear that I make is unique,” she says. “When I start working on one, I ask myself how can I step it up? How can I make it special.”

Heidi uses a technique called fussy cutting to highlight the most meaningful parts of the fabric, ensuring the garment stands out.

Heidi especially enjoys the challenge of complex bears, finding it to be deeply heartwarming to know her work will bring comfort to a grieving family.

“No matter what the garment is, it’s that memory behind it that matters to the family,” she explains.

In this rare moment, Heidi had the opportunity to personally give a bear she made to Kendra Jobes, whose father was on hospice. The rush of memories and emotions that these bears bring to families is something that the hospice volunteers who sew the bears don’t always get to see. Instead, Denise, the program’s coordinator, shares their messages and thank you cards with the volunteers.

Kendra, who is the youngest of three siblings, learned about the Memory Bear Program through a friend after her father entered Sharp HospiceCare. Knowing hospice offered many great resources, she was drawn to the idea of creating a lasting tribute for her family.

“It sounded like a great opportunity to have a memory of my dad for everyone in my family. It was a way we could have a piece of him with us forever.”

Her father, originally from Chattanooga, Tennessee, was a devoted car enthusiast. To honor his memory, Kendra chose one of his most worn shirts, a button-down Hawaiian print covered in classic cars. The shirt perfectly captured his vibrant personality, just as he was remembered: a genuine, caring and loving man who always put others first.

When Heidi handed Kendra the finished bear, she was overwhelmed with emotion. Seeing his beloved shirt lovingly crafted into a cherished keepsake brought tears to her eyes. Though the volunteers rarely meet the families they sew for, this touching moment made the gift even more special. This was a tangible reminder of the father she and her family held dear.

Learn more about the Memory Bear Program at Sharp: https://www.sharp.com/services/hospic....

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