Norwood resident makes hero bears to show support for front line workers

NORWOOD » Donna Walker is a “beary” kind woman. Walker, the mother of two grown children, has the utmost respect and appreciation for those on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“These frontliners are not working from the comfort and security of their homes like most people,” Walker explained. “They are putting themselves out there every single day during this dangerous time.”

Walker’s son was telling his mother about his friend who is a nurse at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. He said she was unable to see her own parents because she did not want to risk jeopardizing their health. Feeling empathetic for the 26-year-old nurse, Walker crocheted her a personalized amigurumi, a bear wearing a protective mask. Before she gifted it to the nurse, Walker, a resident of Norwood, posted the bear on her Facebook page with a message of support.

The recipient was grateful for the gifted bear and said it was a comfort to receive. After seeing that first post on social media, others began requesting these “hero bears” to show their appreciation for frontline workers. Walker, took her crochet needle back out, and has graciously provided them.

“I don’t do the Hero Bears for any monetary gain or recognition,” Walker explained with sincerity. “It’s not about me at all. It’s for our heroes that sacrifice their own health, in whatever job they do. At a time when we are so anxious and uncertain about our future, these people do what they do so that our lives can continue on with whatever the new ‘normal’ is. Hero Bears are a tiny way of expressing appreciation and great thanks to such special people.”

The talented craftswoman has tailored each hero bear to the frontline worker’s individual career, with various uniform colors, mask types, scrubs, or whatever is a signature part of their daily apparel. The hero bears are about 14 inches in height, and when completed, are posted on Walker’s Facebook page to give the local hero a shoutout so others can add their own words of support, gratitude and encouragement.

“These frontline workers are doing way more than just going to work and doing their jobs,” Walker stated. “They are true heroes. They are tenderly taking care of our families when we cannot be there ourselves.”

Walker, who is employed as a supervisor at Paramount Capital Group in Conshohocken, refuses to accept any money for the hero bears. When she is finished making the bears, people can do a contactless pick-up or she will deliver them to the person’s porch or doorsteps.

“This is a time, more than ever before, when we all need to show kindness toward one another,” Walker said. “This is what it’s all about—being kind to one another because we really are in this all together and we will come out of this all together. The hero bears are just a small token of appreciation for our frontline workers who need to know how much we support and care about them.”

Creative Financial Group helps Chester residents with donations to Anna’s Place

CHESTER » Tara Scibello, director of operations at Creative Financial Group in Newtown Square, recently organized various fundraising efforts to support the people of Chester who visit Anna’s Place which included donations of gift cards, cheeseburger lunch, and fruit donation in response to the needs of Anna’s Place guests.

“In these difficult times, it is wonderful to see the generosity of people to those whom they do not even know simply out of the kindness of their hearts,” said Sister Maggie Gannon, OSF, co-director of Anna’s Place. “Their goodness has brought such joy to the lives of Anna’s Place guests and gives all of us great hope for the future knowing there are such kind, generous people in the world.”

The Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia founded Anna’s Place, a Franciscan Hospitality Center ten years ago. Today, Sister Cathy McGowan, SSJ and Maggie Gannon, OSF, along with staff and volunteers reach out to the Chester Community and offer hot lunch, bingo, crafting and computer sessions, as well as English as a Second Language classes. Anna’s Place serves as a welcoming, hospitable gathering place where guests are met with respect and genuine care. Since the coronavirus changed life and social gathering for a time, Anna’s Place continues to reach out and serve the community by helping those in need.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Guests at Anna’s Place in Chester were treated to hot cheeseburger lunches from Zac’s through the generosity of Creative Financial Group. Pictured, left to right, are Sister Cathy McGowan, SSJ, director of Anna’s Place; Sister Clare D’Auria, OSF, volunteer, Anna’s Place; Pete Politarhos, owner of Zac’s Hamburgers; guest Anthony Sherman, and Nick Politarhos, employee of Zac’s Hamburgers.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS Donna Walker of Norwood holds one of the masked Hero Bears which she has been crocheting for local front liners who are working tirelessly and selflessly during the COVID-19pandemic.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Francis Naselli, general agent of Creative Financial Group, delivered fresh fruit to Anna’s Place this week to help the residents of Chester in need. Pictured, left to right, are Gus Lugay, staff member, Anna’s Place; Sister Cathy McGowan, SSJ, director, Anna’s Place; Francis Naselli, Creative Financial Group, and his son Fran Naselli.

Each hero bear made by Norwood resident Donna Walker is individualized to the heroic recipient, with different colors for scrubs or uniforms and wearing medical equipment like stethoscopes. All bears are wearing protective masks.