A Legacy of Love: Bears Who Care Joins Eight Waves
Some Stories are Simply Too Beautiful to End
In Horizon West, one woman’s dream is finding new life through the hearts and hands of another local nonprofit. Bears Who Care, the beloved organization founded by the late Kari Schmitz, has found a new home with Eight Waves Children and Family Services, ensuring that her legacy of love continues to comfort and inspire children for generations to come.
Kari’s mission for Bears Who Care was simple yet powerful: every child experiencing hardship deserves to feel seen, valued and loved. With a teddy bear to hug and a book to spark imagination, she brought encouragement to children facing trauma, hospitalization, homelessness and instability. For Kari, it wasn’t just about handing out bears and books. It was about showing up with heart.
Carrying the Mission Forward
When Kari’s unexpected passing left a question mark over the future of Bears Who Care, her husband Tad, daughter Gwen and the nonprofit’s board spent time in reflection and conversation. They ultimately entrusted Eight Waves with carrying her work forward, ensuring the mission she poured herself into would not only live on but also grow. Today that mission is being lovingly carried forward by Sara Meyer, founder and executive director, and the dedicated team at Eight Waves.
Eight Waves, already well known in the community for programs like Books for Babies, Mom’s Mentoring and Reading Intervention, was a natural fit. With their focus on literacy, mentorship and breaking cycles of poverty and trauma, the spirit of Bears Who Care blends seamlessly into their mission. Together, they can reach even more children with both comfort and opportunity.
“This is not the end of Kari’s story,” Eight Waves shared in their announcement. “It’s the beginning of a new chapter written in love, lived through legacy and held close in every teddy bear we give.”
Honoring Kari’s Legacy
As part of this new chapter, Eight Waves will launch the Bears & Books Literacy Drive, bringing comfort and stories into the hands of thousands of children each year. They will also introduce the Bailey Award, named in honor of Kari’s pure and playful kindness, to recognize community members who embody her spirit of compassion and enduring devotion to supporting children. Kari’s name will also be added to the Legacy Wall at the future Children’s Museum, a permanent reminder that love leaves a mark.
How You Can Be Part of the Legacy
For Horizon West residents, this partnership is an invitation to be part of the story. Families, neighbors and schools can host book and bear drives, nominate someone for the Bailey Award or support the mission by attending Eight Waves fundraising events. Popular community favorites like the Holiday Tour of Homes and the Glam and Giving Fashion Show not only raise essential funds but also bring people together to celebrate generosity and style with purpose. For those looking to volunteer, there are always opportunities for mentors, tutors and outreach event helpers.
Young students enjoying their books from Eight Waves
Love and Learning for Every Child
“Being entrusted with Kari’s legacy is deeply personal to me,” says Sara Meyer, founder and executive director of Eight Waves. “It feels like carrying forward her love and vision for every child she cared about. My hope is that when a child receives a book and a bear, they feel comforted in that moment and also begin to discover the joy of reading.”
In the end, it’s about more than teddy bears or books. It’s about ensuring children know they are not alone. And thanks to the joining of these two organizations, Kari’s legacy of love will keep shining brightly in Horizon West and beyond.
Learn more at EightWaves.org.
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