The American Legion Dept. of NC: Spinoza Bear Program

Spinoza's "buddy bear project" was created for children with a life challenging condition or crisis by The Spinoza Company, a small for-profit company, in St. Paul, MN. It is a community based program designed to help children physically, psychologically and emotionally endure symptoms and procedures that are often painful or frightening. Professionals in hospitals, hospices, home health and social services have used Spinoza for years in their work with these children. An affectionate bond forms between Spinoza and the children and it is very difficult to say good-bye after a visit, creating another form of loss or the children. Spinoza's "buddy bear project" grew out of a desire to provide each of these special children with his/her own Spinoza for life. The children receive a constant companion who provides unconditional love while helping them cope with the fear and pain they face daily.
Any child who is diagnosed with a chronic illness, life threatening illness or major organ failure is a candidate for a Spinoza bear. When children receive Spinoza, their first impression is a soft, cuddly teddy bear with a warm, friendly voice. He has a cassette player tucked in his tummy and is capable of playing recorded messages for the children from their missed family members and friends.
The children also receive a library of nine cassette tapes created and designed for their special needs. For these children time is precious and their lives become filled with limitations as well as tremendous amounts of fear. Their sense of self esteem and confidence suffers with the change and loss in their lives. The tapes help the children express their emotions and comunicate their feelings. Each tape has been recorded with tonalities that promote relaxation.

The Department of North Carolina adopted the Spinoza bear program in 1998 and encourages the posts in North Carolina to participate in it.

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