Teddy Bears Made by Inmates Provide Comfort to Libby Kids and Money for Local Nonprofits | LOR Foundation
Complete Economy

Teddy Bears Made by Inmates Provide Comfort to Libby Kids and Money for Local Nonprofits

  • Local Champion: Bears 'n Stuff
  • Date Funded: October 17, 2022
  • Grant Amount: $275

Sometimes good things come from surprising places. When Libby local Cyrus Lee’s son went to the Washington State Penitentiary, he learned about a program that taught inmates how to sew. From that grew Libby’s Bears ‘n Stuff, an effort through which inmates at the Washington State Penitentiary make teddy bears that are sent to children in Libby and Troy who have been removed from their homes by Child Protective Services. The cuddly toy offers a small amount of support and consolation for little ones dealing with difficult circumstances. Other bears are sold at local markets, with the proceeds going to support local nonprofits, like the Libby Food Bank and Libby Senior Center. Some of the fabric and yarn the inmates use for the bears is donated, but otherwise, the Helping Hands crew (as the inmates are called) must pay for the materials—as well as shipping the bears out. With additional funding, Bears ‘n Stuff would be able to make more stuffed animals—and put more money back into the community. The problem: It needs to be a nonprofit to apply for additional grant funding. So volunteers at Bears ‘n Stuff reached out to LOR for help. LOR’s funding helped pay for the application fee to become a nonprofit, and helps ensure there’s plenty of comfort and cuddles for children in the future.

In The News

Bears ‘n Stuff continues support of community groups (The Western News)

Contact our community officer in Libby. Meet Tabitha Viergutz
More Economy Solutions
Economy / Lander Lander’s Meadowlark Market Increases Access to Local Food
Local Champion:
Central Wyoming College Foundation
Date funded:
October 30, 2023
Grant Amount:
$29,500
Story
Economy / Libby A Downtown Mural Aims to Bring More Business to Libby’s Core District
Local Champion:
City of Libby
Date funded:
October 23, 2023
Grant Amount:
$7,320
Economy / Lander Helping Lander’s Fireworks Show Go On Ensures Economic Boons Too
Local Champion:
Lander local
Date funded:
October 10, 2023
Grant Amount:
$24,850
Economy / Taos Community Workshops Give Locals a Larger Voice in the Future of Taos’ Arts Scene
Local Champion:
Harwood Museum of Art
Date funded:
September 30, 2023
Grant Amount:
$9,400
Economy / Taos Coupon Books and Training Help Launch a New Taos Shop Local Effort
Local Champion:
Taos County Chamber of Commerce
Date funded:
September 11, 2023
Grant Amount:
$8,000
Economy / Cortez Cortez Radio Station and Theater Turns Saturday Nights Into $aturday Nights for Local Businesses
Local Champion:
KSJD Community Radio
Date funded:
August 21, 2023
Grant Amount:
$23,100

Share an Idea

If you have an idea for improving quality of life in Cortez or Monte Vista, Colorado; Lander, Wyoming; Libby, Montana; Questa or Taos, New Mexico; or Weiser, Idaho, use this form to start a conversation with us.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.