Our Work & Mission

Olivia knows first-hand that she could not have made it through her struggles without the love and support of others. Her hope is that the gift of a bear reminds children in need of how many people love and care for them.

Olivia's Bears wants to reach as many children and families as we can. We know both the child diagnosed with an illness and their support system are affected by this life changing event. 

Our goal is to provide support at all stages of a child's journey with their illness. We know that support is still needed even after their time in the hospital is over.

• Deliver a Build-A-Bear to your child. Just let us know what characters or themes they like!

• Deliver items on your child's Wish List (up to 5 items)

• Provide family support, including but not limited to: 

• Gifts and/or necessities for siblings

• Gift cards to support caregivers with groceries and/or household needs

• Olivia was awarded the September 2021 Cornerstone Community Federal Credit Union Community Award

• Olivia's Bears was awarded $17,525 as one of the 4 chosen charities for the first Shine Gold Campaign ran by Hope Rises Network

• Olivia's Bears was chosen as the 2023 beneficiary for Glory Be to Kids and was awarded $52,610 

• Olivia's Bears was featured along with our partner, Kaely's Kindness Foundation, on Daytime Buffalo to highlight our mental health initiative in July 2024

This past year Olivia’s Bears has:

• Donated 266 Build-A-Bears to patients in the hospital receiving treatment and children battling cancer around WNY.
• Donated $10,520 in items and necessities to Oishei Children’s Hospital.
• Donated $19,000 towards our construction of the Teen Lounge on the twelfth floor at Oishei Children’s Hospital.
• Awarded $4,000 to our scholarship recipients.
• Donated $10,901 in items and necessities to children and their families.
• Ran a six week pilot mental health program in partnership with Kaely’s Kindness Foundation to support the emotional health of young adult cancer survivors.