Thanksgiving Day Newspaper Article

My mom didn't tell me that there would be pictures and she sure didn't know I would make the front page of the newspaper.

Newspaper Article about Nina's Share-A-Bears

I received a nice surprise at school from someone that read the article.  One of our local jewelry stores sent me a really sweet card and a cut out of the article to me at school.  It was pretty neat that they thought so much of the article that they took the time to write me a note.

I am pretty sure that Mom has emailed or texted the article to almost everyone she knows!!!!!

Fall Break: 2013

It has been a while since I have blogged.  Now that I am out on Thanksgiving break, I can catch up on my blog.  I took the first 80 bears to the Children's Hospital in Orlando during Fall Break.  Even though I couldn't actually give the bears to the kids, the ladies in Life Services was very excited to get them.

I received my first Thank You note from one of the patients today.  Her parents were so grateful for the bear.  It has really helped their daughter get through her medical situation.  Bringing a smile to a precious face makes it all worth while.

Hum...Black Friday at the Fabric Store

6:00 AM -- Hancocks in Rome

8:30 AM -- Jo-Ann Fabrics in Kennesaw

10:00 AM -- Hobby Lobby in Kennesaw

1:00 PM -- Pulling in the driveway

Well, I was definitely the only 15 year old standing in line to get fabric cut this morning.  We found some really fun flannel material this morning.  I bought enough material to make about 120 bears to take to the hospital.

Firefigher Heroes in Arizona

Well, the 20 Firefighter hero bears have made it to Prescott City, Arizona.  Each family member is assigned a liason that will deliver the bears to the families and to the surviving firefighter.  Mom checked today and some of the bears have already been picked up from the Fire Department and are on their way to the families.

Below is the family of 20 bears that we made and shipped.

Celebrating Bear 100!!!!!!!!!

I delivered my 100th bear last night.  Caleb is a senior this year and his first football game is this Friday night.  I made his mom a bear with his name and number on it so she can cheer him on at the games.

I hope she enjoys it and I bet the other mom's are going to be jealous of her bear.

Rockmart Arts Festival

I sold 10 bears at the festival over the weekend.  I am 5 bears away from having my goal of 100 bears to take to the children's hospital in Florida.

I gave out a lot of business cards and met a lot of really nice people.  One lady didn't really need a bear, but she gave me a $15 donation to make the bears to take to the hospital.  That was really awesome.

Donations to the Red Cross

It was such a great feeling to be able to give the money I raised for the Oklahoma tornado victims to the Red Cross.  It was a realy neat experience and they were so appreciative.

My First Arts Festival

I attended my first Arts and Crafts festival in Cave Spring over the weekend.  The festival directors placed my spot next to a wonderful group of three ladies from Alabama to show us the ropes.

Saturday was a beautiful day and we were lucky to be able to be under a shade tree.  Sunday was pretty rainy so I spent about 3 hours trying to keep dry.

 I sold and took orders for 25 "Share-A-Bears".  Remember, for each bear I sell, I am making and donating a bear to a children's hospital.  Mom was heartbroken when her favorite bear with "Mickey Mouse" on it was one of the first bears to sell.

The college bears sold out first (4 Georgia bears, 1 Alabama bear and someone finally bought the Tennessee bear).  I will definitely need to make more for my next festival.  Mom picked up material do make GA Tech, Auburn and Florida yesterday.

I exceeded my goal of raising $300 for the tornado victims in Oklahoma City.  I will be able to take it to the Red Cross tomorrow to make sure it gets there.

I am up to 75 bears being donated to the Children's Hospital.

Twin "Bama" bears for the Nichols Twins

I love getting pictures of people with my Share-A-Bears.  Mary Jane and Macy loved their "Bama" bears - Roll Tide (that was painful to type since I am a Georgia fan).  Their grandma works with my mom.

Oklahoma City -- Help me make a difference

As a teenager, I  never think about not coming home from school.  My mom always makes a point of telling me "I love you" many times a day.  Sometimes I find that to be quite annoying, but now I have a little better understanding of why she does this.

Help me raise money for the families who are suffering from the deadly tornado.  My goal is to raise $300 to donate to the American Red Cross in Oklahoma City.  I can meet this goal by selling 20 teddy bears.  For each bear I sell, $15 will be donated to the American Red Cross and a "Shared bear" will be donated to the Children's hospital in Orlando where my brother is completing his residency.

Together, we can make a difference and hopefully bring a little peace of mind to the someone in need.

Shop my ETSY Store:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/NinasShareABear

Finals Week

Finals week is finally here.  I didn't get but a couple of bears finished this weekend because I spent the majority of the time studying for my Literature and Biology finals.

I cannot wait for school to be out for the summer, but I am really sad to see say "Good-bye" to my biology teacher Miss Smollar.   She is going back to school to study medicine.  I made her a going away bear that represents her new career path.

Good luck Miss Smollar, I am going to miss you.

Visit my ETSY store:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/NinasShareABear

Setting Goals: 100 Bears by July

My first goal is to take 100 bears to share with the Children's hospital where my brother Alan is completing his residency.  He is going to be a Pediatric Cardiologist.  He is an awesome big brother.

In order to share 100 bears with the children at the hospital, I have to make and sell 100 bears.  As of today, 35 bears have been donated through Share-A-Bear purchases.  $15 of each bear I sell is also donated to an organization that benefits children in need.  Through my Share-A-Bear sells and other fund raising opportunities, I have raised over $350 for a local literacy program.

I am learning how to keep track of expenses and how to live within a budget.  I told my mom that I was the CEO of Nina's Share-A-Bear.

Help me reach my goal by visiting my ETSY Store:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/NinasShareABear

Roosters and Chicks Share-A-Bear

My Sister-in-law Sarah and brother Alan are coming Thursday for my brother Josh's graduation.  I cannot wait to see them.  I haven't seen them since Christmas.  Sarah is a teacher in Orlando and loves Roosters.  I made this bear for her.  I cannot wait to give it to her.

Visit my ETSY store:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/NinasShareABear

Teacher Appreciation Week

Last week was Teacher Appreciation week.  I made a bear for each of my seven teachers.  I had a great time shopping with my mom and dad for fabric that was special for each teacher.  My teachers were so excited.  They wrote me really nice Thank You cards.  I was really worried that my history teacher would not like his "Star Wars" Share-A-Bear, but he really liked it and named it Chewey.  

I am also donating a bear in their name to the kids at the Children's hospital.  They thought this was a really cool idea.

Visit my ETSY store:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/NinasShareABear

Relay for Life

I sold my first Share-A-Bear at the Rome/Floyd County Relay for Life.  To my mom's dismay, the Alabama "Roll Tide" bear was the most popular bear.  Everyone that stopped by the team tent really like the idea. My goal was to raise $100.  I exceeded my goal by raising $265.  It was such a fun night.

Thank you to 4my3boyz Fabric

I want to say a special "thank you" to Carol and the staff at 4my3boyz Fabric.  They helped my mom get the right material to make graduation bears.  My mom thought she was ordering 3 yards of material and she actually ordered 3 Fat Quarters.  Well, at least we know what Fat Quarters are now!!!!!

My mom shared my story with Carol.  Carol allowed me to return my 3 Fat Quarters and purchase the fabric by the yard.  She also donated fabric to me.  I was so excited when I got the box of fabric.  I cannot wait to make bears out of it.

Make sure you visit Carol's store for your quilting and fabric needs
4my3boyz Fabric

Join me in Creating a Smile

I started my first fundraising project in September, 2011.  My mom was telling me about a co-worker's mom who was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and was not covered by private insurance or Medicare.  She needed money to pay for radiation treatments and surgery.  This is Ms Jeri's story:

Ms. Jeri Williams was a 63 year old widow living on Social Security.  Ms. Williams had no health insurance and was not eligible for Medicare\Medicaid.  She was diagnosed with Cancer in September and underwent radiation treatments in the hopes that the tumor would shrink enough to undergo surgery.  Her required medications were several hundred dollars a month.  Ms. Jeri did not win her battle against cancer, but she did win the hearts of everyone she came into contact with.

My brother Alan, is my other inspiration.  He is a very caring and compassionate person.,  He is currently a resident in a children's hospital in Florida.  He has completed three medical mission trips where he has been able to provide care for children in places like Ethiopia and Bangladesh.  I took great pride in being able to raise money for his trip to Bangladesh.

Nina's Share-A-Bear started as an idea to raise money to purchase stuffed bears to share with sick kids so they would have something to hug while going through their illness.  This evolved into making homemade bears.  With the support and help of my parents and other family friends (Cindy, Alice, Mary, Dawn and many more) I started "Nina's Share-A-Bear".

For every bear that I make and sell, I will make and donate a bear to the children's hospital in Florida where my brother is completing his residency.  This allows me to continue my fundraising projects from the proceeds of the bears that I sell and it also brings comfort and a smile to a hospitalized child.

Visit my ETSY store:  Nina's Share-A-Bear

Welcome to Nina's Share-A-Bear

Welcome to Nina's Share A Bear.  I am making and selling bears to help provide a little something special to children that are sick.  For each bear that I sell, I am making and donating a "Share-A-Bear" to the hospital.  It is very scary for kids of all ages to have to spend time in a hospital.  My "Share-A-Bear" will hopefully bring a smile and provide comfort to hospitalized children and their families.

Visit my ETSY store:  Nina's Share-A-Bear