Skip to Content

‘Comfort bears’ help kids going through natural disasters

By Brittni Thomason

Click here for updates on this story

    TEMPE, Arizona (KPHO) — Hurricane Katrina happened 16 years ago, and now a new Category 4 storm could cause more damage in Louisiana.

ASU student, Mimi Hymel, survived Hurricane Katrina when she was a little girl. “I actually lost my favorite teddy bear in the floodwaters of Hurricane Katrina,” she said. That experience made her want to help other kids going through catastrophe.

Hymel started the nonprofit, Comfort Bears in Catastrophe. And she began collecting stuffed animals and gives them to kids who are going through disasters. Hymel tags each toy with encouraging messages.

She plans to get the bears to kids in Louisiana following Hurricane Ida. “I know another hurricane is heading there now to Louisiana, so it’s really great to be able to give comfort to children and just really help the smile through that time,” said Hymel.

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Article Topic Follows: CNN - Regional

Jump to comments ↓

CNN Newsource

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION

KTVZ NewsChannel 21 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.

Skip to content