It all started about a dozen years ago when a compassionate high school senior wanted to send some soft, fluffy solace to children on the other side of the country. What followed resulted in Bears By Your Side, a local nonprofit organization that gives handmade teddy bears to children in crisis in El Dorado County and beyond. We caught up with Rebecca Giles, Bears By Your Side co-founder, to learn more.
Q: What is the mission of your organization, and how was it founded?
A: Bears By Your Side’s mission is to provide comfort to children in crisis. It was created in 2013 by my son, Cruz Fregoso, then a senior at Ponderosa High School in Shingle Springs. He decided to help children cope with the Sandy Hook Elementary School devastation by sending teddy bears. It was soon clear that those children were overwhelmed with teddy bears from all over, so Cruz decided to help children in his home area of El Dorado County. I posted a story about the bear idea on Facebook, and Cruz received financial contributions, several bears, and offers to help with a website . . . Bears By Your Side was born!
Q: How does Bears By Your Side contribute to the community and elsewhere?
A: We have provided more than 500 bears so far this year to organizations including Marshall Hospital, Upper Room Dining Hall, CASA El Dorado, New Morning Youth & Family Services, several schools and, outside our area, Ronald McDonald House Northern Nevada, Kiwanis Family House in Sacramento, Foster Love, and Foster Children Safe Haven in Southern California.
Q: What’s another way your organization collaborates with community partners?
A: Bears By Your Side also collaborates with Dream Catchers EDH, a nonprofit whose mission is to empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live their best lives. Cruz is a participant in this program. Last year Cruz wanted to do something special for the participants of Dream Catchers. We decided to make a limited-edition bear Christmas ornament for him to give to each of his fellow participants. We held a fundraiser benefiting Bears By Your Side and Dream Catchers EDH. The participants could attend a beautiful dinner, dance the night away, receive the ornaments from Cruz, and visit with Santa—all in a safe environment that isn’t always available for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Through sponsorships, we were able to provide this wonderful evening and make a little money for both organizations. We are pleased to be doing it again this year (on Dec. 6).
Q: Can you share a success story that exemplifies the impact of your work?
A: One of our favorite stories came from a patient at Marshall Hospital. An infant was in with some serious medical issues. The staff at Marshall gave the baby one of our bears. The mother was so touched, she reached out to tell us what a difference we made. I’m not sure the baby really knew what was going on, but it definitely brought comfort to his mother. Happily, I have heard the baby is home and doing well and has his new bear friend with him.
Q: What are your short-term and long-term goals?
A: We are growing rapidly, and we do not have an income stream. We rely on donations, grants, and fundraisers. Our short-term goal is to expand our office (in downtown Placerville); we also need more bear makers as we rely on volunteers. We have kits with makings for five teddy bears. The more bear makers, the more children we can serve! Our long-term goal is to expand with staff and a grant writer.
Q: Please tell us about the new documentary.
A: On Nov. 7, Drat Productions’ “The Cruz Story . . . Bears By Your Side” was released. It is a short documentary about Cruz, his triumphs despite challenges, and his successes. It’s available to watch on the Bears By Your Side website and Facebook page and on YouTube.
Q: How can others get involved?
A: Our website provides ways to contribute monetarily and as a bear-making volunteer. We also have a WishList on Amazon (link on Facebook page).
(530) 363-8041; bearsbyyourside.com
(209) 400-1332; dreamcatchersedh.org
The staff at Marshall gave the baby one of our bears. The mother was so touched, she reached out to tell us what a difference we made.
We rely on donations, grants, and fundraisers. Our short-term goal is to expand our office; we also need more bear makers as we rely on volunteers. We have kits with makings for five teddy bears. The more bear makers, the more children we can serve!