Cubs for Kids: Providing Homeless Kids with Well-Dressed Buddies
Homeless kids don't have much to smile about, but Cubs for Kids is out to change that with an army of cute bear cubs, each outfitted in a unique knitted suit.
For many of us, a teddy bear was the most beloved toy of our childhood, acting as confidant, buddy, and security blanket all in one. Cubs for Kids remembers what it was like to be a kid, and how much a quiet little helper can mean to a worried kid. That's why their mission is to distribute cutely dressed teddy bears to kids aged 3-6 in homeless shelters all over the USA.
DRESSING TEDDIES WITH LOVE
While there are several charities that provide knitted bears for homeless children, Cubs for Kids takes a somewhat different approach to the situation. The charity buys the cubs pre-made, and volunteers outfit each one in its very own hat, sweater, and scarf combination.
Cubs for Kids originated in 1998, when Arlene Comora contributed $500 for the first year's crop of bears. After mentions in several knitting publications, the new charity was able to attract enough knitters to deliver 125 fully-dressed bear cubs to needy kids in a Westchester County, NY homeless shelter.
In 1999, Arlene formed a non-for-profit charity with a $2,000 grant -- and the charity really took off from there.
NIFTY LITTLE OUTFITS
In the past nine years, Cubs for Kids has delivered more than 7,500 dressed bear cubs to kids in 38 homeless shelters the length and breadth of the country, from Texas to Indiana, California to Maine. Knitters and knitting shops in 44 states have responded to the call.
All Cubs for Kids asks for is your yarn and creativity; they'll provide the bear cubs and the knitting patterns. The charity collects the outfits all year round, then uses them to dress the cubs in early December. After that, they're gift-wrapped and sent to the participating shelters.
Last year's efforts netted 1,150 cubs for homeless kids. This year, Cubs for Kids is shooting for 1,200 nattily dressed little bears.
LET'S HELP 'EM MEET THAT GOAL
Cub-sized clothing doesn't take a huge amount of yarn or commitment to knit. If you've got the gumption to knit an extra-small sweater, scarf, and hat set, then go to the Cubs For Kids website for more information and patterns.
Cubs for Kids asks that you use a worsted weight yarn for your cub's items. The color scheme is up to you, of course, but since you're knitting for kids, you can't go wrong with brighter colors. The outfits can be hand-knitted, but machine-knitted items are perfectly acceptable, too.