Ann Arbor, Mich., (Dec. 16, 2024) – Hospice of Michigan is currently seeking compassionate volunteers across Oakland and Macomb counties to lend their sewing skills to a special cause: creating ‘Memory Bears’ to help comfort families coping with the loss of a loved one.
Hospice of Michigan’s Memory Bear program was launched in June 2014 by the not-for-profit’s grief support services department to help grieving families capture and preserve aspects of their loved ones within one-of-a-kind stuffed animals. As the initiative continues to gain popularity among bereaved families, additional volunteers are needed to meet sewing demands.
Memory Bears are approximately eight inches in height and lovely sewn by skilled volunteers. Families are encouraged to bring the clothing of a loved one for sewers to transform them into a teddy bear. Each Hospice of Michigan patient family is eligible to receive one uniquely designed Memory Bear as a heartfelt memento.
“In times of loss, having a physical reminder of a loved one can be profoundly comforting,” said Ruth Moore- Lilly, volunteer program manager for Hospice of Michigan. “By volunteering as a Memory Bear sewer, you can make a lasting impact on grieving families by creating a cherished treasure that offers a source of peace through your craftsmanship.”
For those who have experienced a loss, Hospice of Michigan encourages a waiting period of one year before becoming a hospice volunteer to allow for the processing of grief. Interested volunteers will need to provide their own sewing machine to participate.
Those in Oakland County who are interested in donating time to the Memory Bear program should contact Cynthia Palmer at cpalmer@hom.org or 248-334-1323. For Macomb County residents, contact Amanda Layne at alayne@hom.org org 248-568-7564.
For more information about Hospice of Michigan, visit www.hom.org.
About Hospice of Michigan
A nationally recognized leader in end-of-life care, Hospice of Michigan (HOM) is the original – and largest – hospice in the state. A founding member of the NorthStar Care Community, the not-for-profit delivers the highest quality of care, raising more than $5 million each year to cover costs for the uninsured and underinsured. HOM offers a broad range of services to enhance the quality of life at the end of life. HOM also provides grief support and counseling, as well as caregiver education and support. A member of the NorthStar Care Community, HOM also provides palliative care through NorthStar Palliative Care, pediatric hospice care and compassionate support services through Jo Elyn Nyman Anchors Programs for Children, and education programs for physicians and health care professionals through the NorthStar Institute. The NorthStar Care Community also includes Arbor Hospice and Centrica Care Navigators. In total, NorthStar Care Community members serve more than 9,800 patients annually across Michigan. For more information, call 888-247-5701 or visit www.hom.org.