HI THERE!

you are more than welcome here:)

my name is maddy! i am beyond happy that you are here! i am overjoyed to be able to combine my love for art with my passion for mental health to help those who could use some extra joy.

bears given so far: 413

the proceeds from each bag goes toward buying Build-A-Bears for kids and teens admitted into mental facilities

here was one of our stuffing parties at Build-A-Bear!
here was one of our stuffing parties at Build-A-Bear!
here was one of our stuffing parties at Build-A-Bear!
here was one of our stuffing parties at Build-A-Bear!
here was one of our stuffing parties at Build-A-Bear!
here was one of our stuffing parties at Build-A-Bear!

THE BACKGROUND OF BAGS FOR BEARS:

throughout my own mental health experience, i knew right away that i wanted to find ways to make the system better. kids who are put into treatment to protect themselves deserve something to make this difficult time a little brighter. mental health hospitals can feel extremely overwhelming and uncomfortable to patients. you are allowed very few of your own items due to the safety of yourself and others. it can feel so unfamiliar and isolating. it can be hard to feel able to get better at times, lying under a scratchy thin blanket on a plastic mattress.

receiving a build-a-bear helps replace a little bit of that suffocating, constantly on-edge feeling with something warm and cuddly. the goal is to give these youth something positive to look back on as a symbol for their remarkable growth after they return home. i want to give hope to those who are struggling, to be their living proof that it truly is darkest before dawn:) i want to show people that you truly can write your own ending. i want to show people that they have the ability to make it out of this, so much better than they went into it.