Helen's Hugs

Our Mission: Helen’s Hugs was founded by Helen Clay in 2010, in conjunction with Central Carolina Community Foundation, while she was a freshman at Heathwood Hall. What began as a simple idea has grown into a bigger mission—delivering teddy bears monthly to children at Prisma Children's Hospital, giving them encouragement, smiles, and teddy bear hugs!

Through Build-A-Bear workshops, Helen’s Hugs builds and delivers bears each month for hospitalized children. Helen’s Hugs also donates bears to CAMP KEMO, so each camper (patients battling cancer and their siblings) can build their own Build-A-Bear to hug and tuck in at camp. Each bear is more than a gift—it’s a source of comfort, courage, and hope during difficult days.

The Helen’s Hugs hospital deliveries are a meaningful and heartfelt experience. The children’s faces light up with smiles and giggles as they begin playing with their bear – or, they squeeze the bear into a tight hug as they lie down in their hospital bed. They also receive a cardboard home for their bear, which is fun for them to color! The bears become real sources of comfort, with many children bringing their bear along for follow up hospital treatments, surgeries, and checkups.

Helen's Story: As a childhood cancer survivor of aggressive stage four cancer, Helen remembers firsthand the fear and uncertainty of long hospital stays. After a summer of treatment at Prisma, she was inspired to give back and bring encouragement to children walking a similar path. Helen enjoys spending time with patients and their families to offer support, hope, and a reminder that they are not alone while delivering the teddy bears.

Your Impact: Helen’s Hugs is a small nonprofit with a big mission, and every donation makes a direct impact. All contributions go directly toward funding these special teddy bears for hospitalized children! 

Your gift can make a difference!

• $36 provides one bear—bringing comfort to one child
• $180 provides 5 bears
• $360 provides 10 bears

Interested in making an even greater impact? Fund an entire hospital delivery!

• $1,850 provides 50 bears
• $3,700 provides 100 bears

Our Goal: Raising $22,200 will fund a year of Helen's Hugs teddy bears (12 hospital deliveries of 50 bears)!

Thank you for helping Helen bring hope, comfort, and a hug when it’s needed most.

Give a child a hug, and give hope for tomorrow!

Hugs,

Helen Clay, Founder

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” - Joshua 1:9