Baby Bear Hugs

Regional Home Visitation Program

Monetary donations can be mailed to:

Baby Bear Hugs Regional Office

201 S. Main Street

Yuma, CO  80759

Thank You again for all of your support!

    The Bearer Award came into being because of a desire to recognize the outstanding volunteers that give of their time, talents, and energy to support parents through the Baby Bear Hugs program.  The story behind naming it the Bearer Award is a short one.  In keeping with the theme of the program (babies and bears), and looking for inspiration, a dictionary was consulted.  It says:

     The name Bearer Award is therefore appropriate for someone supporting and sustaining Baby Bear Hugs.  The recipient of the Bearer Award "bears up" the organization through their outstanding dedication to the program, and they are an influence to others by their example.

Past winners of the bearer award were:  Steve Brethauer and Tom Westfall – 1997, Pat Covert and Linda Sackett – 1999, Debbie Huwa – 2001, Linda Schreivogel and Dee Kaster – 2003, Barb Wacker – 2005.  This year’s winner is the RSVP, or Retired Senior Volunteer Program from Limon. 

    What do you think of when you see the letters R-S-V-P?  I’m guessing most of you would say that you need to respond to an invitation. In French, the letters stand for “répondez, s'il vous plaît,” or please reply. But in Lincoln County, RSVP has taken on a whole new meaning. It stands for Retired Seniors Volunteer Program and the group’s motto is:

Volunteering:

“Where the Spirit of RSVP is, is the Heart of the Community.”

     The volunteer program has been around for many years, but many people don’t realize how much the organization actually does for the community. But those of us at BBH know the time, talents, love and effort they put into our county is extremely valuable. They give to others without ever asking for anything in return.

     The first day I started my job as BBH Coordinator, I began to try to organize my office. I wasn’t sure of the use of many of the materials, but when I came to a box of beautiful hand-made quilts, I knew exactly what and who those were for. They were to give to our newest members of the community, the babies! I was later told that the blankets came from RSVP.

     A few months went by and my supply was beginning to dwindle.  I was eager to find out how to get more quilts. It was obvious to me that the babies were still going to be arriving and I wanted to continue to give them a wonderful gift from the county. I contacted the RSVP director and told her that the new moms loved the blankets and was there a chance I could get more. She told me she would get right on it! Within a few weeks I went into my office and, much to my delight, there was another box filled, not only with quilts, but also with crocheted hats and booties, and adorable bibs made out of old blue jeans. There have been several occasions when I am surprised by another box of goodies.

     It is clear that these wonderful women have hearts of gold and want to do their part to give a warm welcome to the new babies in Lincoln County.

     I always send a note of thanks to the women, but I want to do more to let them know how much I appreciate their generosity. At our recent Advisory Committee meeting it was a unanimous decision that these five RSVP women were an obvious choice for the Bearer Award. I can’t think of a nicer gesture to let them know how valuable they are to our program.

     This nomination came from Lincoln County Coordinator, Gretchen Blackwelder and the Advisory Committee of Lincoln County.

     Baby Bear Hugs is proud to honor such wonderful, dedicated people who help us help the families of our communities!

Congratulations and

Thank You!

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