-
WE VALUE
COMPASSION
Helping children who are experiencing
traumatic events in their lives. -
WE VALUECommitmentProviding pediatric chaplains with
tools, resources, and con-ed scholarships. -
WE VALUEGenerosityFunding from donors that allows us
to have a direct and positive impact on children.
Our mission is to provide pediatric chaplains with resources to help children
Bertie Bear Kits
The kit is designed largely for chaplains to use with the toddler to school age child.
As the child opens the kit, they will notice that it is decorated
to be Bertie's living room, bedroom, and kitchen.
Journal
The journal is a wonderful way to encourage children to express what they are feeling about what is happening in their lives. The journal permits them to write, or draw, about it in private ways.
White Board
The magnetic white board allows them to place a feeling word at the top so that people can see at a glance what the feeling of the day, or hour, is. They can choose to write or draw the reason or not.
Spiral Notepad
The small spiral notepad can be used for many things: private prayers, questions for the doctor, or something else out of their creative spirit.
Backpack
Bertie's Backpack is a wonderful storage area for those private notes and prayers.
Puzzle
Does the child feel as if she or he is in "pieces" because of all that is going on? What does she/he need to feel whole again? Chaplains could have a discussion similar to this as you are working together on the puzzle.
Labyrinth
A finger labyrinth is included in the box. These are fun and simple and might be used with children while saying a simple prayer, or naming people they love, or identifying a worry they would like to release.
Stickers
Stickers accompany the kit so that children can decorate Bertie's house as they want to personalize it and make it feel like a special home.
Coloring Book
The crayons and coloring book are normalizing activities and might give an opportunity to talk with the child about things they like to do, special people in their lives, and special moments in their day.
Order Bertie Bear Kits
Make a Donation Now!
A $100 donation will give 5 children their own Bertie Bear Kit.
Client Testimonials
Kathleen Ennis-Durstine
M.Div., BCC, Dean, Pediatric Chaplains Institute
The program is wonderfully enriching, as you undoubtedly know. We seek to bring joy in a hurting world.
Reverend Diana Brady
M.Div., BCC, Director of Chaplaincy Services, Stanford Children's Health
I take off my hat to the Wilbert Foundation. The program will have tangible ripple effects in the care of sick children.
Lynn Myrick
Children's National Hospital
The Wilbert Foundation supports the
Pediatric Chaplains Network
The Wilbert Foundation supports the Pediatric Chaplains Network -- a non-profit organization comprised of pediatric chaplains across the US and Canada that specializes in the care of children. Through the Pediatric Chaplains Institute, the Foundation sponsors grief training for professional chaplains hired into pediatric settings.
The primary goal of the institute is to equip chaplains with important resources to enhance their clinical skills and provide quality spiritual care to children and their families in hospitals or other healthcare settings. Specifically, training addresses age-specific competencies, spiritual needs and assessment, and end-of-life issues including bereavement support.
Learn More
Why the Wilbert Foundation Supports Pediatric Chaplains:
At times of terrible stress and grief in hospitals, Chaplains are a key line of support with children, siblings, families and even the nurses and doctors. Chaplains make an immediate, vital impact in hospitals day-in and day-out, but their programs are often under-funded. The Wilbert Foundation is honored to support the efforts of these caring Pediatric Chaplains.
What we can do?
Our volunteers
Mark Minnick
Vice President, The Wilbert Foundation
President of Minnick Services Corp
President, Wilbert Foundation
Fort Wayne, IN
Whitney Casada Wilburn
Board member, Wilbert Foundation
Owner of Wilbert Vault of Somerset
Somerset, KY
Dale L. Cameron
President, The Wilbert Foundation
Business Development Manager of Piedmont Precast
Atlanta, GA
Terry Whitlock
Secretary, The Wilbert Foundation
Vice President of Licensee Relations of Wilbert Funeral Services, Inc.
Broadview, IL
J. Richard Ward
Treasurer, The Wilbert Foundation
Richards-Wilbert Inc.
Hagerstown, MD & Salem, VA
Danny Hurt
Board Member, Wilbert Foundation
VP of Sales and Marketing, Bickes
Nashville, NC
Michael W. McNeely
Advisor, The Wilbert Foundation
President & CEO of
Abbey Group, Ltd.
Milwaukee, WI
486,000
Grants Awarded
4,005
Kits Distributed
126
Pediatric Chaplains Trained
278
Children's Hospitals
The Wilbert Foundation is determined to provide the support our children need now which will hopefully help them avoid potential emotional pitfalls later in life.
Mark Minnick
Trustee
The work we do may be sacred, but it is greatly elevated by the Wilbert Foundation’s thoughtfulness and generosity.
Cantor Mike Zoosman
Staff Chaplain at the National Institutes of Health - Clinical Center
Bethesda, MD
Not surprisingly, the parents have also joined in the fun so the Bertie Bear kit helps families overcome the awkward barriers they often experience while in the hospital.
Rev. Lavender Kelley
M. Div., Sr. Staff Chaplain, Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
I have a conviction that Pediatric Chaplains are able to touch a broad swath of the population, and I appreciate the opportunity to become better equipped.
Peggy Ponder
M. Div., Board Certified Chaplain, Children's of Alabama
While many may be called to serve as Chaplain, it takes a special anointing to serve as a Pediatric Chaplain. Thank you for making it possible for me to benefit from such a rich experience.
There are some wonderful resources in the Bertie Bear kit. Chaplains can choose several ways to use them with patients and families. Bertie himself is soft and comforting - a great size for any child, including adolescents.