For most people 9/11 brings back memories of devastation and a day when life as we knew it changed irrecoverably.  I think of those things too, say a prayer for the families of those affected and proudly hang a flag outside my home.  But it also reminds me of the organization I started to bring relief to children affected by such tragedies.  Eight years ago, my friend Becca and I founded Bears for Emergency Action Relief (B.E.A.R.) and decided to start a teddy bear drive that ended-up snowballing into a 4-state effort…and 5 months later 13,000 stuffed animals made their way into the arms of terrified children.

That project has become an inspiration on what I want to do with the rest of my life.  Eventually get my masters in counseling so I can work with these children, I volunteer with the Salvation Army at the sites of natural disasters and one day — I want B.E.A.R. to become an organization that runs full-time.  The man was my “boss” the time I was with Global offered to help me set-up a Board of Directors for B.E.A.R. and get it established as the non-profits of all non-profits.  One day, when I have more free time to dedicate to this venture I think I will take him up on that offer.