9th Annual Bear to Make a Difference a Success

The Matthew Shepard Foundation raised more than $185,000 and honored pioneers for LGBT equality at the 9th Annual “Bear to Make a Difference” Gala Dinner and Celebrity Teddy Bear Auction held Saturday, Oct. 16th, 2010 at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.

The funds raised support the Foundation’s continuing work to “Replace Hate with Understanding, Compassion and Acceptance” through educational outreach programs in high schools, colleges, workplaces and community organizations nationwide. The Foundation visited 60 such sites with speaking engagements and workshops in the last 12 months, and added a wide array of new interactive tools to its signature youth resource site, MatthewsPlace.com.

Bishop Gene Robinson of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire received the “Making a Difference” Award, given annually since 2006 to someone making a strong impact for equality. Robinson has been active particularly in the area of full civil rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. “God loves you beyond your wildest imagining, and so do I,” Robinson remarked from the podium in accepting the award.

Udi Behr, creator of Love and Pride and a native of Israel, was honored with the “Essential Piece Award” for his commitment to ‘Celebrating Love’ and ‘Erasing Hate’ within the GLBT community through his design of pendants through his company, the proceeds of which benefit the Foundation. More than 5,000 “Erase Hate” pendants have been sold in 40 countries worldwide, he noted.

Also awarded for his longtime service to the organization was former MSF Development Director Andrew Tweedie, who helped originate the “Bear to Make a Difference” concept in 2002.

Hosted by ABC7News Chief Meteorologist Mike Nelson, the dinner also featured a special welcome and remarks from Judy Shepard, a presentation by Reichen Lehmkuhl, and an update on the organization’s work by Executive Director Jason Marsden.

An after-dinner live auction of personalized and autographed celebrity teddy bears provided a critical fundraising component, including signed bears from Sarah McLachlan, Sharon Osbourne, Madonna, Bobby Flay, Naomi and Wynonna Judd, Meryl Streep, Garth Brooks, Gloria Estefan and many other notable personalities.

Bear to Make a Difference online auction goes live today featuring Madonnabear

In connection with the 9th annual Bear to Make a Difference Gala Dinner and Celebrity Teddy Bear Auction in Denver, the Foundation will be making two items available online for people to bid on.

The first is a custom teddy bear signed by Madonna and designed in her image (left) by designer Daniel Vosovic of “Project Runway.”

The second is a framed “Erase Hate” t-shirt (right) signed by the cast of Fox’s hit show, “glee.” The auction will go live on Friday, October 15 and run for seven days.

For information on how to bid, visit www.MatthewShepard.org online.

Save on Bear to Make a Difference tickets until Sep. 1

Bishop Gene Robinson, Udi Behr to be honored at 5th Annual Bear to Make a Difference Gala

The Matthew Shepard Foundation this fall will honor a pioneer in the fight for equal rights, and a leading entrepreneur, for their longstanding commitments to the equality and dignity of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered persons.

Bishop Gene Robinson of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire will receive the “Making a Difference” Award. He has been active particularly in the area of full civil rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. Working at the state, national and international levels, he has spoken out in favor of equal protection under the law and full civil marriage rights for same-sex couples. He has been honored by many LGBT organizations for this work, including the Human Rights Campaign, the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force and the Equality Forum. Bishop Robinson was invited by the Presidential Inaugural Committee and Barack Obama to give the invocation at the opening of pre-inaugural ceremonies at the Lincoln Memorial on January 18, 2009.

Udi Behr (left), creator of Love and Pride and a native of Israel, lived through three wars determined to create things of beauty and to promote peace. After learning his trade in the Tel Aviv diamond industry, his fame as an original designer took off upon his arrival in New York in 1983. Behr created the ‘Erase Hate Pendant’ for Judy Shepard, and has now sold pendants worldwide in memory of Matthew. Behr will be honored with the “Essential Piece Award” for his commitment to ‘Celebrating Love’ and ‘Erasing Hate’ within the GLBT community.

The awards are the centerpieces of the Matthew Shepard Foundation’s annual “Bear to Make a Difference” gala dinner and celebrity teddy-bear auction. The dinner, now in its ninth year, takes place at 7:00 P.M. on Saturday, October 16, 2010, at the Seawell Grand Ballroom at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Denver.

Hosted by ABC7News Chief Meteorologist Mike Nelson, the dinner also features a special welcome and remarks from Judy Shepard.

An after-dinner live auction of personalized and autographed celebrity teddy bears provides a critical fundraising component, which supports the foundation’s pro-diversity educational outreach to schools, colleges and corporations. This year’s offerings were contributed by Lady Gaga, Sarah McLachlan, Sharon Osbourne, Madonna, Bobby Flay, Naomi and Wynonna Judd, Meryl Streep, Garth Brooks, Gloria Estefan and many other notable personalities.

The gala event also includes a 5:30 P.M. cocktail reception and a concurrent silent auction, and concludes with an after-dinner party. Tickets and more information are available online at www.MatthewShepard.org or via the foundation office, 303-830-7400.

Teddy Bear designers needed for Bear to Make a Difference

The Matthew Shepard Foundation was founded by Judy and Dennis Shepard in memory of their 21-year old son, Matthew, who was murdered in an anti-gay hate crime in Wyoming in October 1998. Created to honor Matthew in a manner that was appropriate to his dreams, beliefs and aspirations, the Foundation seeks to “Replace Hate with Understanding, Compassion & Acceptance” through its varied educational programs and by continuing to tell Matthew’s story.

In February of 2002, a dedicated group of volunteers put together an idea for a silent auction of teddy bears that would benefit the Foundation. Many local Denver notables designed and dressed teddy bears and held a silent auction that raised just over $5,000 for the Matthew Shepard Foundation. Eight years later, "Bear to Make a Difference" has become the largest annual fundraising event for the organization and has developed a national reputation, featuring celebrity teddy bears from all avenues of entertainment.  Last year’s gala raised over $100,000 to support the work of the Foundation. This year’s "Bear to Make a Difference" gala and teddy-bear auction will be held on October 16, 2010.

The Foundation is looking for a few designers who are interested in creating a teddy bear for the event.  Every year celebrities agree to sign bears designed in their image to be auctioned off to support the work of the Foundation.  Last year’s participants included Celine Dion, Katie Perry, Meryl Streep, Barbra Streisand and Nicole Kidman. The Foundation will provide the teddy bear and you dress it up.  Bears need to be completed by mid-August 2010.

For more information or to participate, please contact thomas@matthewshepard.org.

Bid on celebrity bears to benefit Matthew Shepard Foundation

This year's Bear to Make a Difference Ebay auction is up and running and has some great signed bears by Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Jude Law, Dianne Wiest, Susan Sarandon, Twilight Saga Folks, Taylor Kitsch, Ashton Kutcher, Demi Moore, Barbra Streisand, Sordid Lives plus many more. Be sure to bid on some great signed items and support the work of The Matthew Shepard Foundation.

Bear to Make a Difference 2009 sold out

The 2009 Bear to Make a Difference event in Denver benefitting the Matthew Shepard Foundation has sold out.

Whoo-hoo!

That is great news for a wonderful organization.


If you didn't have a chance to get your tickets but still want to do your part for The Matthew Shepard Foundation there are still tickets available for the 2009 Bear to Make a Difference Comedy Night featuring Alec Mapa or you can purchase a copy of Judy Shepard's book The Meaning of Matthew.

Bear to Make a Difference

Don't forget to get your tickets to the Matthew Shepard Foundation's 2009 Bear to Make a Difference event coming up on October 16 at the Exdo Event Center.

Discount pre-sale for Bear to Make a Difference tickets ends today

Today is the last day to nab discounted tickets for Bear to Make a Difference 2009.

This gala dinner and celebrity teddy bear auction is a benefit for the Matthew Shepard Foundation.

This year's event is hosted by Mike Nelson and Judy Shepard and actor Leslie Jordan, writer Del Shores, and Doug Sanborn of MillerCoors will be honored for their contributions to gay civil rights.

Bear to Make a Difference presale ending soon

Don’t miss your chance at discounted tickets for the 8th Annual “Bear to Make a Difference” Gala Dinner and Celebrity Teddy Bear Auction on October 17th, in Denver at the Westin Tabor Center hotel, to benefit the Matthew Shepard Foundation.

This high-spirited and always entertaining event sells out the Westin Tabor Center’s grand ballroom every year, and this year should be no different with special guests like Del Shores from LOGO’s “Sordid Lives,” and Leslie Jordan from “Will and Grace”.

Plan a special evening of inspiration, entertainment and friendly company to benefit the Foundation’s educational work to erase hate. Enjoy the witty musical ensemble of Amy Armstrong and Freddy Allen all the way from Chicago for a command performance. Bid on a customized Meryl Streep teddy bear, a trip to Greece, an African safari or one of countless other one-of-a-kind auction items. Mingle with other friends of equality at the after-party immediately following the event.

But plan it soon, because the $125 discounted ticket price ends September 13.

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Bear to Make a Difference

Be a part of the Matthew Shepard Foundation's Bear to Make a Difference event Wednesday, July 15 at 6 p.m. at HW Home for the official kick-off and Table Captain event for the
8th Annual Bear To Make a Difference Gala. RSVP today to 1-877-519-7904 ext. 10.

Tickets for Bear to Make a Difference 2009 on sale now

Tickets are on sale now for Bear to Make a Difference.

The official kick-off and Table Captain event for the 8th Annual Bear To Make a Difference Gala takes place Wednesday, July 15 at 6 p.m. at HW Home at The Village at The Landmark. To RSVP call 1-877-519-7904 ext. 10.