Having spent more than fifteen years in the children’s toy industry, I was eager to work with FAO on this critical program because they have a reputation for quality and have dedicated themselves to bringing wonder and awe to children around the globe. Together, we created a brand-new, enhanced Bear that will comfort children in hospitals nationwide. FAO is known not just for its abundant history of spreading joy but also for its soft and cuddly teddy bears, so they were a natural choice for us.

Our collaboration is a tribute to the shared values of enCourage Kids and FAO, and commitment to creating a better future for these brave boys and girls. We are looking forward to bringing more joy, hope, and comfort with these Bears to pediatric patients than we ever have!

Working in lockstep with our child life specialist partners, we support innovative programs and technologies that are not only useful now but will have far-reaching impact. Through our flagship program, the Jay Anderson Pediatric Hospital Support Fund, we provide customized support, funding a variety of programs and functions designed to meet the unique needs of their patients and programming. Creative Arts Therapies, Adaptive Sensory Equipment, Welcome and Distraction Kits, Playroom Renovations—these are just a few of the categories of support we provide, all of which help to elevate the level of care they are able to provide to their patients.

One of our favorite programs we support is pet therapy and we have seen a significant increase in the number of requests for support for it across the country. Research has shown that animal assisted therapy and facility dogs have a significant impact on improving health outcomes including reducing experiences of pain, lowering blood pressure, reducing patient anxiety during medical appointments, and providing opportunities for increased social support. Another of our signature programs is our Bear Program that not only provides comfort to pediatric patients, but also creates an opportunity for medical play and instruction to help a child cope with a diagnosis or prep for an upcoming procedure.

I had the honor of visiting one of the hospitals we support in the Northeast. We had a first-hand account of the impact a musical therapy program we funded had on two young women who were admitted for suicidal concerns. The musical therapist sat down with each patient, listened compassionately, and facilitated a song-writing session with both whereby they were able to express their feelings through music, and feel a sense of pride in the art they created. The therapist played the song for us and there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. With all our programs, our goal is to ensure that every child experiences joy, hope, and emotional healing during their medical journey and beyond.

The stars were aligned in our favor, and we couldn’t have asked for a more wonderful evening! Serving Up Smiles has become our most popular fundraising event that offers delectable dishes from some of New York City’s top restaurants, irresistible wines and spirits, and a silent auction filled with a menagerie of incredible items and one-of-a-kind experiences! This year we were lucky to have Chef Glenn Rolnick of Carmine’s and Virgil’s fame, as our Culinary Chair. The venue looked beautiful with some amazing Halloween-themed décor provided by American Christmas. We had a fantastic lineup of chefs, restaurants, wines, spirits, and beverage companies who so generously donated their time and talents. We were thrilled to have radio legends Elvis Duran, Danielle Monaro and Skeery Jones lend their voices and incredible energy to our program and Mission Moment where they helped us exceed our fundraising goal!

We received a lot of positive feedback from our guests as well as the chefs and beverage participants on what a happy and fun vibe there was and how much they look forward to attending next year. We hope to maintain that ambience and add more participants which will enhance the magic and expand the event. Most of all, we hope that EKF’s mission resonated with newcomers and that they continue to support our work.

It was such a great day for the children as we distributed our signature Teddy Bears as part of our Send A Smile, Send A Bear Program as well as an assortment of toys donated by Cra-Z-Art, Spin Master, Theodora S.T.E.A.M. Girls, My Paint By Numbers, and Anabelle Grant (a 10th grader who wanted to give back), to name a few. Joining in on the holiday fun was Johnny, the toy soldier from FAO Schwarz and ABC Sports Anchor and enCourage Kids Ambassador Ryan Field. We were able to bring such joy to the children and their families. Being in a hospital can feel particularly isolating, and our goal is to ensure that every child experiences joy, hope, and emotional healing.

Hospitalized children need our support now more than ever. Hospitals also need our support as the need far outweighs our current level of resources and why we need your support more than ever! We feel it’s so important for people to know our mission in providing resources and support to hospitals and pediatric patients. We are supporting a vital infrastructure that serves the most vulnerable among us: our children. My staff and I are committed to ensure that enCourage Kids fulfills its mission. With the help of your readers and their networks, we can fill in the gaps and keep our promise to help the millions of kids who need it. To learn more about their mission and to make a donation, please visit: www.encourage-kids.org.

enCourage Kids is proud to have partnered with iconic toy brand, FAO Schwarz, to create a new, high-quality plush Bear for their Send a Smile, Send a Bear program. As one of the organization's cornerstone programs, they deliver stuffed animal Bears nationwide to help pediatric patients navigate the stress of treatment, illness, and hospitalization. It is a vital resource in supporting kids during painful procedures, long hours of waiting, and any time when they need a reassuring hug while away from the comforts of home. The Bear is also a powerful tool in fostering coping skills, preparing for medical procedures, and educating about diagnoses.