Teddy bears have the power to bring us joy and somehow make us feel safe. Big bears, small bears, bears of all sizes, colors and shapes lined the shelves in the Waipahu United Church of Christ conference room where Rose Pamatigan has set-up her own little Santa's workshop. And, she is always on the look out for a few more good elves. "The work is so rewarding when you know these children don't have anything or have been abused," said Pamatigan.
Volunteers add their hugs of
Christmas cheer to teddy bears
given to hundreds of children in need
By Nancy Arcayna
narcayna@starbulletin.com"Chris Robbins from Savers in Waipahu had been giving me bags of stuffed animals which I gave to different organizations in the community. The teddy bears seemed to jump out at me, saying decorate me." She discussed the idea with her friend Irene Nomura, who opened her home to hundreds of teddy bears.
Last year, she organized the "Hug Me Bear" project and along with three other volunteers decorated 800 bears which were distributed to underprivileged children in the Leeward area. "This year we are planning on decorating 1,000 bears. With the economy as it is, we are probably going to need a lot more," she added.
Last year, the leftover bears were given to the elderly or sent to schools, libraries or recreational centers. Pamatigan also wants to focus on using more bears for other endeavors this year. "I want to get stuffed animals that are brand new and give them to the kids at Kapiolani Hospital who have cancer. These kids have a special place in my heart," said Pamatigan, who recently had a double mastectomy."I'd also like to give bears to hospice patients. When people are terminally ill, a teddy bear gives them something to hold on to," said Pamatigan. She also handles donations of baby clothes, hams, canned goods, non-perishable foods and homemade blankets so baskets can be made for families in need.
The work table was set-up like a buffet lined with sushi, boiled peanuts, cookies and all sorts of goodies to keep the volunteers' energy up while working all day, transforming ordinary, drab bears into hula bears, cowboy bears, fancy bears and more.
"I keep the volunteers busy and out of trouble," jokes Pamatigan, knowing some will even take fabric home with them to create outfits, skirts and even ribbon leis for the bears. Some bears even wore beaded bracelets.
"Sometimes the bears don't look so cute, but once they are decorated, they are beautiful. We determine if they are girls or boys," said Lee Gantala. "I'm not so good at decorating, so I make the cording for the skirts," she added.
"Other bears come decorated and we just need to add a few accessories," added Edith Katano. Accessories such as hats or flowers are purchased using cash donations made to the agency.Charlotte Inouye, yet another volunteer, was busy playing with the bears. "I don't have any grandchildren, so this is great. All I have to play with is the dog and cat," she said.
Ruth Okamoto, Marlene Yasuda and Felisa Chang are other dedicated volunteers who spend Tuesday mornings getting the bears ready for their new homes.
Savers still donates most of the bears and accepts public donations through the purchase of $1 donation cards.
Even "Willah from Ohio" (not her real name), one of Pamatigan's pals from her cancer support chat room, wanted to get in on the action. "Willah sent the lace being used to decorate the bears this year all the way from Ohio," she said.
"We also throw out candy and bears at the Waipahu parade. There are a lot of poor children in Waipahu. At the parade last year, I saw a father standing with his daughter. I could tell they didn't have much, so I gave her a great big bear. She grabbed on to it and looked at her Daddy and said, 'I'm special.'
"That is what makes it all worthwhile ... the kids smiles, the looks on their faces. There is nothing more precious than a child," said Pamatigan, whose Good Samaritan spirit was instilled when she was no older than those she is trying to help.
"My father was a teacher, so at a young age, I had to go help with projects. And, while my kids were growing up, I was always involved in Boy Scouts, school and community."
She figured she'd retire when her son graduated from high school. "But, when I see these little kids that have nothing, it makes me want to keep working towards making a difference," she said.
Cheri Eng, a public health nurse, distributes the bears to the needy families. "I'll take a whole bag in the homes and let them choose a bear ... and the children are so happy. Sometimes these homes have no tree, decorations or anything. A lot of these people don't even celebrate."
The Public Nurse's Association determines which families in the community will receive bears and also shares bears with other agencies like Liliuokalani Children's Center and Child Protective Services. Some foster children also receive bears.
"When I was young, I wanted to be in the Peace Corps ... but this job suits me just fine. It's so rewarding to be able to help others. It's amazing how people that live just a few blocks away from you can live so differently. Some of them are even in the streets. When I think about all my own children have, it makes me so very thankful," said Eng.
If you would like to make a donation or volunteer time to decorate the bears, call Rose at 677-5764. Bears are distributed until one week prior to Christmas.
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