Baby Bear Hugs

Regional Home Visitation Program

Gifts of yarn for the baby afghans can be dropped off at:

 Powder Coating Specialties

550 Orchard Rd.

Denver, CO  80401

or mailed to:

Baby Bear Hugs

130 S. 4th Street

Sterling, Co  80751

Monetary donations can be mailed to:

Baby Bear Hugs Regional Office

201 S. Main Street

Yuma, CO  80759

  "Come Grow with Us"

The 6^th bi-annual Baby Bear Hugs Gala was held on April 21 in Limon.  Baby Bear Hugs has celebrated with the Gala event for 12 years, once every-other year.  The purpose of the gala is to acknowledge and thank all of the talented and generous volunteers.  The theme of this year’s Gala was “Come Grow with Us,” and the room was festively decorated with beautiful sunflowers.  There were 67 guests from nine different counties in attendance.  The Baby Bear Hugs Board of Directors served as the Master of Ceremonies introducing each part of the program.

     Steve Burgess, Lincoln County Commissioner and Baby Bear Hugs board member, welcomed everyone to Lincoln County, thanked the funders, and read the history.  Ruth Seedorf, BBH Executive Director talked about the current state of the program and the exciting future of BBH.  Julie Haake, BBH Tobacco Prevention Specialist highlighted the second-hand smoke prevention program.  Brenda Chapin, Nurturing Parenting Coordinator, spoke about the effectiveness of the Nurturing Parenting classes, and that BBH staff is currently involved in training so they can deliver the Nurturing Parenting curriculum during home visits.  Mike Hotz, BBH board member from Logan County, gave the invocation prior to a marvelous lunch catered by Jennie Hoefler of Hugo.

     Cheryl Kraich, Public Health Nurse from Washington County and BBH board member and Shellie Engelhardt, Kiowa County Paraprofessional, introduced the key note speaker, Ron Masterson. Masterson presented an inspiring address entitled “Holding the Door.”  He highlighted that we all need to learn to be accepting of the kinds of “care taking” that we do for others.

     Barb Wacker, BBH board member from Morgan County, introduced each county coordinator, who presented this year’s Bearer Award Nominees.

     Susan Roll-Walters, Phillips County Commissioner, drew for door prizes that were donated from around the region.  Together Walters and Wacker presented the results of the silent auction.  It was a very successful silent auction raising over $685.

     Executive Director Ruth Seedorf said, “It never ceases to amaze me that we can come from all of our home bases to the central location and put it all together.  It is a real testament to the dedication of staff (and their spouses), board members, and volunteers that everyone fills in and does what is needed to make the Gala happen!  It is indeed a pleasure to work for such a caring organization.”

Special thanks to the Gala Committee:  Gretchen Blackwelder, Chair; Shellie Engelhardt, Sandi Patrick-Hendricks, Tina Kraft, Julie Haake, and Letha Thorn.

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