Dear friends,

One Hospice of Santa Barbara program that has been quietly marching along and doing remarkable work since 2009 is our Beloved Bear program. I want to take this opportunity to thank the special volunteers who creatively and diligently work to make these one-of-a-kind bears for HSB clients and families.

The Beloved Bear program offers a soft comforting remembrance during a time of grief by making a stuffed bear or pillow out of a passed loved one’s favorite article of clothing. Each item is handcrafted by HSB volunteers and provides families with a tangible keepsake infused with memories, texture, and even the familiar comforting scent of their loved one.

These Bears bring a level of familiarity and comfort and provide a sense of security for those who are grieving. It can also act as a transitional object in the healing process; many families do not know what to do with the deceased person’s clothing — they want the smell of the clothes or the memory of the clothes. The bear provides a way for memories to continue and serves as a joyful memory of a loved one because it is something “new” and appropriate for both kids and adults.

It’s quite difficult to articulate in words what this program means to family members who receive one of these Beloved Bears. It is a tangible piece of their loved one; something they can see, touch, smell and hold. It is an incredibly powerful healing tool and becomes a “forever” memento for the family.

One Beloved Bear recipient told me that, while there is no way to bring her husband back, the Beloved Bears created for her, and for her two kids bring such a comfort to them that they (the Bears) have helped ease their pain and grief as they learn to live without their husband and father.

Each lovingly made Bear (or pillow) takes about 2-4 weeks to finish and is about 14 inches tall. Both can be made from cotton shirts, blouses, uniforms, pants, pajamas, flannels, and even sheets. A small heart is lovingly sown inside each bear. Over 300 bears, each representing a loved one who has died, have been created for our community.

To learn more about this program, please contact Sally Turvey at sturvey@hospiceofsb.org. *Please note that this program is available to individuals and families currently receiving Hospice of Santa Barbara services.

Be well,

David Selberg

Save the Date:

11th Annual Heroes of Hospice

of Santa Barbara

Our 11th Annual Heroes Of Hospice Luncheon will take place on Sunday, September 10th, 2023, in person, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at The Rosewood Miramar Beach.

The event honors the people and organizations that bring compassion and care, at all levels, to those in need in and near the Santa Barbara community. In recent years, the demand for HSB’s services has been growing. Fundraisers like Heroes of Hospice allow the organization to reach our community members struggling with grief or life-threatening illness.

To purchase tickets, view sponsorship opportunities or learn more, please visit: https://www.hospiceofsb.org/heroes

A Gift to

Offer the World

by Rev. Lisa Friedman

We touch the floor

to remember that wherever we bring our best self is holy ground.

We reach for the sky

to remember that we are part of a mystery much bigger than ourselves.

We hold hands

to remember that we need one another and are a part of one human family.

We join voices

to remember that we each have a gift to offer the world

and to use in making the world a better place.

Happy work anniversary to Marilyn, Ginny, Valerie and Julia!

Marilyn Goldman, MFT, Bereavement Counselor, celebrates her 22-year anniversary.

Ginny Reis, MFT, Care Manager, celebrates her 6-year anniversary.

Valerie Moore-Altavilla, LCSW, Bereavement Counselor, celebrates her 5-year anniversary.

Julia Barrera, Bilingual Community Coordinator, celebrates their one-year anniversary.

Get It Done SB! (GIDSB) and Mi Regalo (MR) are HSB’s Advance Care Planning (ACP) programs, focused on bringing awareness and education in English and Spanish to ensure that all of our community members have a completed Advance Directive before they need one. 

Need to “Get it Done?!” Schedule a one-on-one appointment with our trained facilitators to answer your questions, review your completed document and ensure submission to Cottage Health. 

Only need notary services? Join us this Thursday, June 29th from 12pm-1:30pm at B’nai B’rith, 420 S. Fairview Ave, Suite 102 with a government issued ID and get your Advance Directive notarized for FREE! Please call or email to RSVP. 

For more information on Advance Care Planning, upcoming workshops or to request one-on-one help from our experienced volunteers, visit https://www.getitdonesb.org/ (English) and https://www.miregalo.org/ (Spanish), call Julia Barrera at 805-563-2576 or email us at CommunityACP@hospiceofsb.org.