As another year draws to a close, we find ourselves immersed in the season of joy and sharing. Yet throughout the year, many families are in the midst of grief due to the loss of a child, and a sense of joy seems unimaginable.

During these times of deep sorrow, there is a very special organization called Addy Bears that brings comfort to families through the gift of a stuffed bear to hug, to hold, to cry with, and to love. It’s an emotional journey that parents and extended family experience when they lose a child, and a stuffed bear is a simple (and much appreciated) gesture of support and compassion. That’s why this season, Eastmark Cares, in conjunction with the Eastmark Leadership Class 3, has selected Addy Bears as the beneficiary of our community’s year-end philanthropic campaign.

Addy Bears was born on Nov. 28, 2016, when Branden and Melissa Haws’ baby girl, Addy, was stillborn at 39 weeks. The East Valley couple was given a stuffed bear by their nurses and amid unthinkable grief and loss, they found that having something soft to hold onto to was comforting and just what they needed.

Each Addy Bear is stuffed with a fabric heart that is kissed and hugged, placed in a box with a letter from Addy along with a blue or pink ribbon and then carefully wrapped with love. The bears are then hand delivered to local hospitals to be given to families in labor and delivery, and pediatric and neonatal intensive care units.

One hundred percent of donations to Addy Bears go to the creation of bears for families experiencing infant or child loss.

Eastmark Cares has put together an event for our community to come together in support of Addy Bears and to remember and celebrate the lives of children who have left this world too soon. Mark your calendar for the Eastmark Cares Jingle Jog on Saturday, Dec. 9, from 9 to 11 a.m. at The Eastmark Great Park.

Strollers are welcome, and everyone is encouraged to wear their PJs or coziest holiday gear for this inaugural neighborhood stroll or jog. In addition, the following festivities are planned:

• Purchase jingle bells for $5 to adorn your running shoes, with proceeds benefitting Addy Bears.
• Try your luck at the 50/50 raffle.
• Keep an eye out for Santa as he stops by The Eastmark Great Park to visit and take pictures with children, families, and the young at heart.
• Enjoy complimentary sweet treats, hot cocoa, and coffee after the jog.
• Enjoy holiday music with our onsite DJ.

Attendees will also have a chance to make a bear with help from Stuffed by You who will be on site that morning. Bears cost $10 to create. Craft your own to donate or contribute $10 and one will be made for you. The goal is to donate 100 bears to local pediatric hospitals through Addy Bears.

We look forward to jingling and jogging with you on Dec. 9!

Register

Sign Up To Volunteer

Questions? Want to get involved? Reach us at CommunityLife@Eastmark.com.

The mission of Eastmark Cares is to inspire a passion for service and ongoing commitment to our community through philanthropic initiatives that focus on military service members and veterans, children, families, the elderly, and pets.