We are thrilled to honor Bear Givers and five of their Board Members, Joseph Sprung, Diane Lempert, Michele Mirman, Barbara Firestone and Richard Fink with the Love Award for their support and dedication to Mending Kids over the years. Their longstanding partnership has been instrumental in providing our mended kids with the comforting teddy bears that become cherished companions during their recovery. These bears offer more than just a cuddly presence—they provide solace, encouragement, and a sense of security as children heal from their surgeries. The generosity of Bear Givers has touched thousands of mended kids, turning challenging moments into a source of warmth and comfort. As we celebrate our 20th year, we recognize Bear Givers for their remarkable contribution, which has added an extra layer of care and compassion to our mission of transforming children’s lives.
Chairman and Founder Joseph Sprung has always been an advocate for children's causes and has been involved in charities for most of his life. During a visit to Israel during the last intifada, he was inspired to start his own non-profit after donating teddy bears to children of all backgrounds in hospitals. Witnessing the joy these simple gifts brought, he founded Bears 4 Kids in 2002, with the mission to distribute teddy bears to hospitalized children. As the organization grew, he realized that senior citizens, adults undergoing cancer treatment, families in shelters and even our troops were greatly uplifted by these caring and thoughtful gifts. Reflecting this broader mission of inclusion, the organization was renamed Bear Givers in 2009 and more programs were created. He remains steadfast in his commitment to helping those in need.
Diane Lempert, Executive Director since inception, is passionately dedicated to Bear Givers. She plays a crucial role in executing programs and organizing events, from hospital visits and Teddy Bear Clinics to kindness projects and art shows. Often the first point of contact, Diane ensures teddy bears reach their destinations and all logistics are flawlessly managed. Under Joe's guidance, Diane and the Bear Givers team have extended the reach of the organization's mission, empowering and educating children, comforting those in need, and spreading kindness one teddy bear at a time.
Bear Givers runs unique programs that include donating teddy bears to hospitals worldwide, hosting Teddy Bear Clinics to ease children's fears, and empowering children with disabilities to give bears to others. They offer customized charitable programs for milestone celebrations and other special events. The Kindness Project, incorporated into school curriculums as "Leading with Kindness," promotes kindness through activities with teddy bears and handwritten notecards, in an effort to prevent bullying and prejudice. Their EmpowerArt program sponsors art shows for children with disabilities where their artwork is displayed and sold. At the 2025 Mending Kids Gala, artwork by children with disabilities who participated in the EmpowerArt Program will be auctioned to support Mending Kids!
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We are honored to celebrate Dr. Namrata Varma with the Mend Award in our 20th year of Mending Kids. Dr. Varma has been a steadfast partner in our mission, leading annual missions to Guatemala since 2015. Her remarkable dedication is reflected in her status as our most prolific surgeon, having performed over 800 surgeries on children in need.
Dr. Varma, a fellowship-trained pediatric otolaryngologist at Miller Children's and Women's Hospital Long Beach, has made a profound impact both locally and globally. Fluent in English, Hindi, and Spanish, she has utilized her skills and passion for pediatrics to bridge language and cultural gaps, ensuring comprehensive care for her young patients. Her extensive training includes a fellowship at McGill University in Canada, specializing in complex ear, nose, and throat conditions.
In addition to her clinical excellence, Dr. Varma has demonstrated exceptional leadership within the Otolaryngology community. Her contributions extend to her role as vice-chair of the Otolaryngology department at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center/Miller Children’s and Women’s Hospital and her involvement with the Orange County Society of Head and Neck Surgery. Through these roles and her service as Program Chair for the 2020 American Osteopathic College of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery national conference, she has advanced the field and educated her peers.
Dr. Varma’s journey reflects not just a career of medical excellence, but a deep passion for community service. From her training at prestigious institutions like McGill University, to her leadership roles and involvement in multidisciplinary clinics, she exemplifies the very spirit of service and innovation. In honoring Dr. Varma, we acknowledge her role as a catalyst for positive change—much like the snowball effect we celebrate at this year’s gala. Her work embodies the ripple of impact that starts with one act of compassion and expands to touch countless lives, inspiring us all to continue making a difference.
At Mending Kids, we're dedicated to a simple yet powerful mission: healing children and transforming their lives. For nearly two decades, we have tirelessly worked to provide critical surgical care to children and mend their futures. Our commitment knows no borders, as we extend our reach to children in need both at home and abroad.
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IMAGINE – Our 20th year of saving the lives of children at home and abroad, and gifting them the future and all its possibilities; your support is critical to our mission.
Ayal Willner, MD - President
Leslie Wright Frost - Vice President
Richard Tabura - Secretary
Alexis Crump - Treasurer
Carmela de Brouwer
Deidre Bailey
Dorothy Lucey
Evan Zahn, MD
Jason Frischer, MD
Kristina Jakstys
Mindy Wechsler
Rebecca Aman Bernstein
Robert Bernstein, MD
Trisja Malisoff
Isabelle Fox - Executive Director
Arielle Leviste - Programs & Outreach Specialist
Chaoyi Liu - Operations Manager
Daphne Wattiez - Mission & Outreach Consultant
Dulcie Morris - Programs Specialist
Jeffrey Schare - Senior Programs Coordinator
Mary Zimmerman - Programs Coordinator
Sara Nachum - Development Manager
Mending Kids is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization registered in California, United States of America.
