I don’t remember at all who first told me about Molly Bears, without a doubt another loss Mom but I don’t remember specifically who but I instantly fell in love with the concept.
In case you don’t know what Molly Bears is, and I really hope you don’t, because most people only know because they themselves have been touched by infant loss or someone they know has been, it’s a non-profit organization that makes and sends customized weighted bears to grieving families.
Bridget Crews is the mother who founded Molly Bears.
When Bridget was 34 weeks pregnant she lost her daughter Molly due to a tight true know in her cord. Molly entered this world on May 30th 2010 and she has forever changed the lives of her family and hundreds of other families.
Bridget was given a weighted teddy bear from a close high school friend and in an effort to make the bear weigh the same as Molly she bought a package of rice and filled the bear until it weighed the same as Molly. Just like that the first Molly Bear was made.
After making the first Molly Bear, Bridget knew that she had to continue to make these bears. She started by making them for close friends from support groups she was in and soon she was getting requests from other people.
Molly Bears was officially started in August of 2010. They currently have OVER 4,000 orders and have already made 2,000 bears.
I have been on the list for a couple of months now, the wait is about a year. The wait is so long for a couple of reasons. Sadly the demand is high and the other reason is that all Molly Bears made are sent to the family completely free of charge. Families don’t pay for anything, supplies, shipping nothing. Families requesting a Molly Bear have the option to donate which I’m sure many do but it’s still not enough.
Bridget and Molly Bears needs all the funds that they can get. Please consider giving your vote to Bridget on Yahoo’s Women Who Shine contest. You can also like the Yahoo Women Who Shine FB page to keep up to date on the nomination process:
My Molly bear was a ray of sunshine when all I felt was darkness. I will never forget how excited I was when I drove home from the cemetery and found the package on my front porch-it was the first time I had been excited in a long time. Feeling the weight of my sweet angel Avery once again gave me hope that better days were sure to come. I often close my eyes and rock my Avery bear to go back to that day when I last held her in my arms. My Avery bear is a soft and gentle hug on the days that I need it the most, and for that I will always be grateful. –Carey Mother to angel Avery (Dear Avery)
My Molly Bears are the closet I’ll ever get to holding my angels again. They deffinately help to fill my empty arms on those rough bad days.–Miranda mother to angels Lucy, Maddie and Gracie
As you can see Molly Bears mean so much to the families who get them please vote for Bridget so that she can continue to enriches the lives of families who have loved, lost and continue to love their angels.
Samantha Rawagah says
What a great concept!
Katie says
What a touching story. I am glad her Little Molly has been able to touch so many people’s lives in a positive way.
Brittany Belling says
That is such an amazing idea! I'm going to share this with a few friends for sure!
Brittany Belling says
Oops I commented in the wrong spot, and put this on my Facebook. Oh well, I shared this with my friends anyway. I think it’s a fabulous idea!
Jess G. says
This is an amazing idea! I love the concept, I will be sharing and voting!
Michelle says
What a wonderful concept. I’ve always heard that people have an easier time managing grief when they can channel it into something productive – it seems like this woman made light from darkness (I guess that’s why people keep using the term “brightness” and “shine” with her, huh?).
Kathy says
What a fantastic program. I too have suffered a loss, and the bear would have been an amazing gift.
natasha says
How very sweet – heart breaking and uplifting…
Shell Fruscione says
What an amazing woman & program. I’ll be voting!
Heather Kunke says
I got my molly bear in the mail last week. I can’t even begin to describe how amazing it felt. It was like I wasn’t the only one thinking of Kaiden. It was a surreal moment. Jason and I vowed to donate to Molly Bear in memory of Kaiden for every holiday. This is such an amazing organization for loss families.
Brittney Reader says
Wow. I never knew about these but omg what a great idea for such a tragedy. I have never lost a child nor could I imagine the pain so I am imspired by her strength.