Scottsdale nonprofit brings comfort to kids impacted by Hurricane Helene
Something Good is sponsored by Papa Murphy’s.
PHOENIX (AZFamily)—People on the East Coast are still reeling from Hurricane Helene, and now they’re bracing for the impact of Hurricane Milton, which is expected to hit as a Category 5 storm this week.
One Scottsdale nonprofit is doing Something Good to comfort children impacted by natural disasters.
Comfort Bears in a Catastrophe sends stuffed animals and teddy bears to children affected by disasters like Hurricane Helene. They’ve partnered with other nonprofits to donate over 800 comfort bears to children in four states impacted by the hurricane.
“These cute comfort bears go to comfort children in scary situations after disaster,” said Mimi Hymel, Executive Director of Comfort Bears in a Catastrophe.
Each bear comes with a handwritten note for the child.
“It’s something that’s really scary for children, and they have trouble processing it, and a lot of children just want that comfort. They want that teddy bear,” Hymel said. “They don’t understand that essentials are important. They just want their toy, their favorite bear, and so being able to bring them that comfort, that mental health relief really goes a long way for kids.”
Hymel is a survivor of Hurricane Katrina and created this organization from personal experience of losing everything and having anxiety after the disaster.
“It’s a personal mission for me being a Katrina survivor. My family lost absolutely everything in Hurricane Katrina, and I really wanted my teddy bear cuddles, and so that’s why I created this organization,” Hymel said.
Anyone interested in volunteering with the nonprofit can help by making cards or dropping off donations at Sunstane Boutique in Glendale this month. For more information on Comfort Bears in a Catastrophe, click here.
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