Thursday, July 3, 2008
A Bear's Tale - Chapter One
When you are little and alone, abused and neglected, going to court and listening to adults and strangers fight over you can be very scary -- even if everyone is trying to protect you.
In an effort to bring a moment of joy to the most vulnerable of boys and girls in such traumatic times, the judges of Miami-Dade County gifted them with a bear. The furry friends made an unbearable situation a little brighter and elicited smiles and hope.
But this year, because of severe budget cuts, the dollars given to the courts to buy the bears were cut in half. So the Chief Judge of the Juvenile Court, the "Mama Bear", the Honorable Cindy Lederman, was very sad. Then one day, she met CBS4's Chief Investigative Reporter Michele Gillen, the "Curious Bear." The Judge told Michele the story of the soon-to-be missing bears.
The tale prompted Michele to imagine a world where, at minimum, all the hurt children could get the bears they needed. She had met many of these little ones who, for their own safety, had to be taken from their parents. Many waited years dreaming of being adopted.
"Adopted!" she thought. And so the idea of the Adopt-a-Bear campaign was born. She turned to a family of heroes, who were living right in her TV station, the non-profit group called Neighbors 4 Neighbors. Together with CBS4 News, they came up with a "rescue-the-bears" plan, so that judges and children's advocates no longer have to fear their bear shelves will be bare.
We invite everyone to join in and be a "Bear Ambassador." In particular, we invite children and young people to lead this campaign. Those who receive their adopted bear will know that it came from the heart and hands of another youngster -- bridging worlds, and in the gift of a bear, build a better one.
This is a story we will be writing together as a community. As we close out Chapter One, we can only hope for a Happy Ending.
With a full heart - Your forever "Curious Bear" - Michele Gillen
In an effort to bring a moment of joy to the most vulnerable of boys and girls in such traumatic times, the judges of Miami-Dade County gifted them with a bear. The furry friends made an unbearable situation a little brighter and elicited smiles and hope.
But this year, because of severe budget cuts, the dollars given to the courts to buy the bears were cut in half. So the Chief Judge of the Juvenile Court, the "Mama Bear", the Honorable Cindy Lederman, was very sad. Then one day, she met CBS4's Chief Investigative Reporter Michele Gillen, the "Curious Bear." The Judge told Michele the story of the soon-to-be missing bears.
The tale prompted Michele to imagine a world where, at minimum, all the hurt children could get the bears they needed. She had met many of these little ones who, for their own safety, had to be taken from their parents. Many waited years dreaming of being adopted.
"Adopted!" she thought. And so the idea of the Adopt-a-Bear campaign was born. She turned to a family of heroes, who were living right in her TV station, the non-profit group called Neighbors 4 Neighbors. Together with CBS4 News, they came up with a "rescue-the-bears" plan, so that judges and children's advocates no longer have to fear their bear shelves will be bare.
We invite everyone to join in and be a "Bear Ambassador." In particular, we invite children and young people to lead this campaign. Those who receive their adopted bear will know that it came from the heart and hands of another youngster -- bridging worlds, and in the gift of a bear, build a better one.
This is a story we will be writing together as a community. As we close out Chapter One, we can only hope for a Happy Ending.
With a full heart - Your forever "Curious Bear" - Michele Gillen
Bears "ham" it up for first photo shoot!
A special report in South Miami Town CenterMagazine. Bear hugs to our favorite publisher, John Edward Smith, who "bear friended" us and challenges everyone to adopt! Meet us on site at our most fantastic and first Bear Adoption Center - Just Kickin'
Get Ready for a Surprise!
Watch CBS4 News for the first bear delivery!
Miami-Dade Juvenile Court judges welcome our Bear Ambassadors and their special gifts.
Adoption Frenzy!
Posted By "Curious Bear" aka Michele Gillen - July 5th 2008
I can bearly contain my joy! In just one pilates class this morning, 16 adoptions were completed. That's 16! What a great group of dancing bears came together to help get little bears into the hands of our most vulnerable children. We decided to name our friend Laura, who sponsored 10 bear adoptions all by herself, "Miracle Bear." She knows children, she hails from the sweetest maternity and baby wear shop 'Who's Kickin'. But all our exercise friends were just super. They include, "Energy Bear" and "Spinning Bear". "Pilates Bear" sponsored an adoption and adopted another twin bear to bring home to her daugher Isabella. Many thanks to my pilates partners! At special events and what we call "Bear Sightings", you can also adopt a bear to take home - a twin bear of the one you sponsor for a child of the court.
Then it was on to visit an extraordinary group of everyday heroes! The firemen of the Coral Gables Fire Department Station 1. With "Benevolent Bear", "Smiling Bear" and "Rescue Bear" leading the way, they not only adopted a bear in behalf of the fire station, they helped us with the first official swearing- in of a "Bear Ambassador". 10 -year old Stephanie Behar says she can't wait to tell her friends at camp about the need to adopt a bear and we are helping her with a special "bear sighting" this week so that all her mates and their families can adopt a bear for the court and for themselves, as well. Thank you, sweet "Performing Bear" for being a young leader in this campaign!
Have a beautiful day everyone! And a special thank you to "Guiding Bear", my Shining Light Media partner Marcia Izaguirre - a producer and friend who illuminates all paths. And I send the grandest bear hug to a woman who's touch and vision imprints our efforts with pure genious and love....thank you Judy Flookie...the one and only "Designer Bear."
I can bearly contain my joy! In just one pilates class this morning, 16 adoptions were completed. That's 16! What a great group of dancing bears came together to help get little bears into the hands of our most vulnerable children. We decided to name our friend Laura, who sponsored 10 bear adoptions all by herself, "Miracle Bear." She knows children, she hails from the sweetest maternity and baby wear shop 'Who's Kickin'. But all our exercise friends were just super. They include, "Energy Bear" and "Spinning Bear". "Pilates Bear" sponsored an adoption and adopted another twin bear to bring home to her daugher Isabella. Many thanks to my pilates partners! At special events and what we call "Bear Sightings", you can also adopt a bear to take home - a twin bear of the one you sponsor for a child of the court.
Then it was on to visit an extraordinary group of everyday heroes! The firemen of the Coral Gables Fire Department Station 1. With "Benevolent Bear", "Smiling Bear" and "Rescue Bear" leading the way, they not only adopted a bear in behalf of the fire station, they helped us with the first official swearing- in of a "Bear Ambassador". 10 -year old Stephanie Behar says she can't wait to tell her friends at camp about the need to adopt a bear and we are helping her with a special "bear sighting" this week so that all her mates and their families can adopt a bear for the court and for themselves, as well. Thank you, sweet "Performing Bear" for being a young leader in this campaign!
Have a beautiful day everyone! And a special thank you to "Guiding Bear", my Shining Light Media partner Marcia Izaguirre - a producer and friend who illuminates all paths. And I send the grandest bear hug to a woman who's touch and vision imprints our efforts with pure genious and love....thank you Judy Flookie...the one and only "Designer Bear."
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
A Neighbors 4 Neighbors going away present? Five Bear Adoptions! It doesn't get any better
Nicole Maristany, producer of Neighbors 4 Neighbors, thanking and congratulating intern Christina Rodrigues by sending love in her name to children.
A Birthday Blast for Hunter with brother and bear!
Wow! The first ever Adopt-a-Bear Birthday Party! Happy Birthday to Hunter Matthews. Thank you for sharing your day by adopting a bear - a treasured present for another youngster. Happy celebrations with your hugable brother Brooks.
"Bear-ometer" as of July20th
113 Adoptions approved so far!
The count increases by the hour...
so keep checking in!
Special thanks this week to our most generous friends
at the Florida Department of Revenue
and to the Elvis Friends South Florida Fan Club
We are your fans!
The count increases by the hour...
so keep checking in!
Special thanks this week to our most generous friends
at the Florida Department of Revenue
and to the Elvis Friends South Florida Fan Club
We are your fans!
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
One way to get involved......
If you would like to be on the front lines of facilitating bear adoptions- connecting the children and parents of your community with little ones in need -stocking the "bare bear shelves" of the judges entrusted to help these children during the most traumatic moments, we would love to designate you an 'official' adoption center. Only requirement: love.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
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