At PenFinancial, our commitment to making a difference in Niagara extends beyond banking—it’s about supporting the people and organizations that uplift our community. We are proud to announce that Comfort Bears has been awarded a $2,500 grant as part of our 2024 Truly Local Grant program.

Comfort Bears is a heartwarming initiative dedicated to providing comfort and hope to children in Niagara who are facing cancer, terminal illness, chronic illness, or severe trauma. Through the distribution of specially designed support bears, they create moments of solace for children during incredibly challenging times.

We recently had the privilege of meeting Michelle from Pathstone Foundation and Lindsay from Niagara Health, who work alongside Lena Bassford, Board Chair of Comfort Bears. Together, they form a powerful network of support for the most vulnerable children in our community.

“We have been supporting thousands of children in Niagara experiencing challenges that no child should ever face,” shared Lena Bassford. “Our Niagara partners have shared the look of calm on the child’s face as they give their support bear a warm hug for the first time. If even for a second, the child forgets their crisis and experiences one moment of happiness, we have succeeded. Thank you, PenFinancial Truly Local, for ensuring hundreds of Comfort Bears will support our community’s most vulnerable children.”

These small but mighty bears provide much more than physical comfort—they bring hope and a reminder that no child faces their journey alone.

Learn More and Support Comfort Bears

To learn more about Comfort Bears and how you can contribute to their mission, visit their website: https://hubs.la/Q02ZC0h90

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Lena and everyone at Comfort Bears for their tireless dedication to Niagara’s children.

To discover more about this year’s Truly Local Grant recipients and the difference they’re making, check out the full news release here: https://hubs.la/Q02ZC6p80

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