A Bear-y Special Way to Give Back to St. Jude

As we’re coming out of the craziness of Black Friday weekend, I’m so happy to know that there is a light at the end of this tunnel a special day that follows called Giving Tuesday. Today is a friendly reminder to give back to your community and those in need this holiday season. After how much my family shopped all the great deals on Christmas gifts and items for our home over the weekend’s sales, it is refreshing to use today to put some of our means towards others instead of ourselves.

This holiday season, Gordmans is making it even easier to give back to those in need this holiday season – particularly to the families, children, staff, and the research at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  I’m incredibly thrilled to be partnering with Gordmans today to raise awareness on this special cause that is near and dear to my heart – their Bears that Care holiday campaign.

Head on down to hear more about this simple way to donate and to get a glimpse into my recent visit to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. I’m also providing details on how impactful your donation can be and sharing what all it takes to keep this amazing facility running FREE for all of its patients. More below!

A Bit About St. Jude

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is in my hometown of Memphis, Tennessee. Since it opened its doors more than 50 years ago, the research and treatment invented at St. Jude has pushed the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to 80 percent. Their goal is to work to drive the survival rate even higher to 90 percent, never stopping until no child dies from cancer again.

What makes St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital one of the most incredible and unique hospitals in the entire world is that families never ever receive a bill from their treatment at St. Jude. Their travel here is covered along with all housing and food. St. Jude believes that a family shouldn’t have to worry about finances at a difficult time like this and their only worry should be about helping their child live.

St. Jude’s Founder & Unique Back Story

Danny Thomas, a very popular actor and comedian, founded St. Jude in 1960. His inspiring story began when he was struggling in the entertainment industry and desperate for work in order to support his family. At the time, he prayed to St. Jude – the patron saint of hopeless causes – to “Show me my way in life.” He vowed to build St. Jude a shrine upon answered prayers.

Soon after he went on to become one of the biggest entertainers in film and television of his time. He used his new resources to fulfill his vow and build a place not only honoring St. Jude but changing the lives of countless families and children along the way.

Seeing the Support for St. Jude

Annie and I recently visited the museum, grounds and gift shop where we saw up-close and personal stories shared of children’s survival of this vicious disease. There was also a special section of the museum devoted to the support of St. Jude and how impactful even the smallest donations can be to the hospital. We found out it costs close to $2.8 million dollars PER DAY to keep the hospital running. The fact that all of this comes from donations is truly awe-inspiring.

How You Can Donate with Bears that Care

I loved popping into Gordmans back in Texas to scoop up great finds at low prices for my family, for my home and even to find toys for Annie! I was also so glad to see we had one so close to us in Memphis at Gordmans Southaven location too. While Gordmans always has a nice selection of merchandise to shop from, what really continues to bring me back here is that Gordmans is always eager to support amazing causes not only at the holidays but year-round. They make it easier for shoppers to give back to various charities in unique and special ways too.

This holiday season, Gordmans is giving back to St. Jude with their Bears That Care campaign. Shoppers can purchase the adorable teddy bear (pictured in Annie’s arm) in-store or online with a portion of the proceeds given directly to St. Jude.

Gordmans is giving shoppers the opportunity to elect to donate whatever they wish upon check out at the register too.

But an even easier way to give back is to use the hashtag #BearsThatCare on Instagram. $1 will be donated for each in-feed post using this special hashtag this holiday season.

A snap of Annie in her favorite Gordmans find! We picked up this fuzzy jacket for her while out shopping the other day. She loves playing with the zipper and trying to zip it up herself. I love that it has a hood for her on these chilly Tennessee days we’ve been having! I picked up a fuzzy sweater and pompom beanie for myself while we were perusing for Christmas gifts. We’re definitely having to redo our winter wardrobe now that we’ve left South Texas! 

Grateful to Give Back This Holiday Season

Having a child of my own, St. Jude’s mission feels more important to me than ever before. Our visit to the hospital and Pavillion museum last week definitely left me feeling inspired but I would be lying if I wasn’t feeling pretty emotional about it during the days that followed. Seeing the many families walk into the hospital with their children – some close in Annie’s age – was just heartbreaking to watch and imagine what they might be going through. Looking down at my healthy bouncing toddler clutching my hand at the same time had me moved to tears how grateful I am for her health and happiness. It’s something I do not ever take for granted.

—

There are many different ways to give back this holiday season but I encourage you to use this special opportunity with Gordmans to purchase a Bear That Cares to give back and treat someone special this Christmas. Annie sure loves clutching her Teddy Bear and knowing the message behind this bear makes me smile whenever I see her loving on it.

Big big thank you to Gordmans for partnering with me this Christmas to share this wonderful message. And as always, thank you for stopping by the blog!
—

xo, alice