Phillip's Love Bears®

Our Legacy of Love

About Us

Phillip's Wish

In November of 1991, Angela and Phil Fusco welcomed their son Phillip into the world.

Soon after his birth, Phillip was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder, which kept him in and out of hospitals for most of his young life. During these challenging times, Phillip’s spirit remained strong and compassionate. At the age of 20, he spent four months in intensive care at Shriners Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia.

Shortly after this intense period of medical care, Phillip expressed a heartfelt wish: to find a way he could help "hurting children". Inspired by their son's compassion, Angela and Phil came up with the idea of stuffing and donating teddy bears. This initiative served a dual purpose: it helped Phillip develop his motor skills while also fulfilling his deep desire to provide a bit of comfort and love to other children in need. This simple act of kindness, born from Phillip's own experiences and his empathy for others facing hardship, laid the foundation for what Phillip's Love Bears has become today.

A Global Movement

From Local Roots to Global Reach

Initially, Phillip and his family lovingly prepared bears for local kids in need. This grassroots effort started as a way for Phillip to engage and give back within his own community. Soon, the reach of Phillip's kindness expanded. A local church initiated Phillip’s Love Bears first international delivery – donating bears for a missionary trip to Belize. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of a global outreach that continues to this day, demonstrating that compassion knows no geographical limits.

Bears Without Borders

Our Expanding Impact Around the World

Phillip's initial wish to help hurting children has blossomed into a worldwide effort, bringing comfort and hope to countless individuals facing diverse challenges. Here are some examples of our global efforts that illustrate the breadth of our outreach and our commitment to bringing comfort to those who need it most, wherever they may be:

We are sending 300 comforting bears to those affected by the fires in California, providing a small measure of solace during a devastating time.

We are delivering 150 bears filled with love to children in a very poor part of Venezuela, accompanied by a dedicated missionary group, extending care to those in vulnerable communities.

We provide special bears for the incredible attendees of the Tim Tebow Night to Shine prom, bringing joy and smiles to individuals with special needs. This partnership allows us to share moments of celebration and inclusion.

In partnership with The Courage Project, we are donating 500 "Courage Lions" to honor the resilience of Ukrainian children facing unimaginable challenges. This initiative aims to empower them with a symbol of strength and hope for the future.

We responded to crises by providing comfort to 300 children and their parents stranded in Haiti after the earthquakes, offering tangible support during a time of great need.

At the start of the war in Ukraine, we sent 1,000 teddy bears to the Polish line to comfort children leaving their homes, recognizing the psychological impact of displacement and trauma.

Our Valued Global Partners

We are incredibly grateful for the partnerships we have forged with like-minded organizations around the world. These collaborations are essential in amplifying our impact and reaching even more individuals in need.

The Brave Widows Project (Tanzania)

This inspiring project employs marginalized widows who lovingly make the special shells that line our weighted therapy bears. This partnership not only provides vital components for our bears but also empowers women through meaningful employment.

Women of Uganda

The talented women of Uganda create beautiful African grass baskets, jewelry, clothing, bowls, and utensils for us. Their artistry adds a unique and culturally rich dimension to our outreach efforts, further supporting their economic well-being.

Kojedo Aikwangwon (South Korea)

Aikwangwon is home for intellectually disabled children and adults who diligently craft the inner shells for our weighted therapy bears and friends. Their contribution is integral to the therapeutic benefits of our weighted bears.

The Courage Project

Our partnership with The Courage Project allows us to specifically support Ukrainian children through the donation of "Courage Lions" and raise awareness about their plight. Together, we aim to bring hope and resilience to these young lives.

Global Empowerment Mission, BlueCheck Ukraine, and Builders Ukraine

We are proud to collaborate with these impactful organizations to reach those affected by crises, including our ongoing support for Ukrainian children. Their on-the-ground presence and expertise are invaluable in delivering aid effectively.

Tim Tebow Foundation (Night to Shine)

By providing bears for the attendees of Night to Shine events, we partner with the Tim Tebow Foundation to create joyful and memorable experiences for individuals with special needs.

The Heart Behind Our Work

Phillip sadly passed away in November 2020, but his legacy of love has continued to reach across the globe. As a testament to his enduring spirit, each bear continues to receive Phillip’s personal signature, a reminder of the inspiration behind our mission.

As Angela Fusco eloquently stated, “The goal is to continue and expand employment of marginalized artists across the globe”. This vision reflects our commitment to not only providing comfort but also empowering individuals and communities through sustainable partnerships.

Our global movement is driven by the fundamental belief that love knows no boundaries. We strive to extend a comforting paw to anyone in need, embodying Phillip's original wish to help hurting children on a scale he could have only dreamed of.

A Global Reach

Phillip's wish has blossomed into a global movement bringing comfort to those facing diverse challenges:

  • Special needs individuals

  • Child trafficking survivors

  • Orphanages

  • Hospitals

  • Missionaries

  • Nursing homes

  • Victims of natural disasters

  • Children affected by war

At Phillip’s Love Bears®, we believe in the power of a simple act of kindness to make a profound difference.

Our mission is a continuous journey, inspired by Phillip's compassionate heart and sustained by the generosity of our supporters and the dedication of our partners around the world.