2025 HR & Finance Conference

Comfort Bears in A Catastrophe Service Project

On the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene, a storm that left a deep mark on the Clearwater Beach community, participants had the privilege of taking part in a very special project. Helene wasn’t just a weather event. It was a life-altering moment. The storm caused significant damage to The Don CeSar, where the conference was held, but more importantly, it impacted many of our own team members. Some endured serious damage to their homes; and some lost their homes entirely. That kind of devastation leaves lasting scars — but it also reveals something powerful: resilience. We saw our teams, our neighbors, and our first responders come together. Rebuilding didn’t just mean repairing buildings, it meant restoring lives. Supporting one another. Showing up when it mattered most.

Our team members at the conference were each provided with a teddy bear and had the opportunity to dress the bears. These bears were then donated to local first responders, particularly fire departments, who will carry them on emergency calls and give them to children who are facing devastating situations such as house fires, car accidents, natural disasters, and other moments of sudden loss or fear. In these intense, often traumatic moments, something as small as a teddy bear — something to hold onto — can make a world of difference.

Along with the bears, team members were provided with a personal notecard to write just a few words of comfort, love, or encouragement. That message was attached to the bears, so when a child receives it, they not only feel the softness of the bear… they felt our hearts in those words. Whether the bear was dressed in superhero capes, cozy pajamas, or as a princess — it becomes more than a toy. It becomes a symbol of comfort, a reminder that someone cares.

On behalf of our team, our community’s first responders, and the children who will hold these bears close — thank you!