I heard about this event and wanted to be a vendor…BUT when I heard about the silent and live auction they were doing to help raise money for Primary Children’s Hospital…I WAS ALL IN! I was approved to come & do a live carving pre live auction, and my piece would auction off with all proceeds going to the cause. It took me 2 1/2 hours to carve this piece, which was fun to do! I got it to a point where the person who bought it could customize it any way they wanted. I was first on the live auction list and my piece went for $250 which was awesome! I then finished the piece and the people were super happy about it. I then proceeded to tell the auctioneer and the rodeo announcer to announce to everyone that day, that 10% of my total sales from my booth would also go to Primary Children’s Hospital.  I was grateful for the opportunity to help in this wonderful cause.

I donated this patriotic bear to Kyle Fox of Follow the Flag and his family as a thank you for all they do for our community and country! Every 4th of July week they suspend a GIANT American Flag in our American Fork, UT Canyon.  The flag is 150×78 feet and weighs 400 pounds!  Their mission is to HONOR men, women and children who give and sacrifice their time, efforts and sometimes their lives to safeguard the freedoms of the US. They want to HEAL as many as they can who are fighting the battle of everyday trials, suffering from health issues, handicaps, war trauma, abuse, loss of loved one, homeless and more. They want to INSPIRE all who cross their path with a new strength and drive to rise up and raise up a more unified American people.

This is a letter to absolutely try and show my appreciation for the wonder gift that was given to me by Wendy. The amount of time and love she puts into her craft is amazing and really unbelievable.  When I was given such a wonderful gift, with so much detail, so much love, so much care, it truly made it into a life-changing gift. The way it was made, the reason why the bear was made, my words will never fulfill the true emotions and love I felt that day. I felt so loved and almost as if I was given the gift of strength again.

I have to attribute the last few months of my life returning to normal and gaining strength to the wonderful Magic Jiffy Lube Bear that was given to me. I know he has the magic gift of strength and the love and care that was shown to me again cannot be expressed into words.  The bear to me is magic and there is not a day that goes by that I don’t walk by it and truly thank you for your work and amazing gift.  The craft in which she makes something makes it a one of a kind and makes a gift that I will cherish forever.

Thank you for your care, support, and love.

Bryan Birch J-team Manager
Eagle Mountain, Utah

A softball player in Ogden was running the bases when his knee went out, fracturing the tibia at the knee requiring major surgery to repair (non weight bearing for at least 8 weeks). The whole softball community in Ogden got involved and hosted a tournament in his honor, all proceeds going towards his medical bills! I carved this bear to be part of a raffle they were doing.  The love and support shown for Martin and his family was overwhelming and awesome to see.  I was grateful to be a part of it!

“I broke my tibia playing softball, have a long recovery with 2 surgeries in 6 months. I’m now 12 weeks in with another surgery on the way hoping to be back ASAP!”    Martin

 

 This piece brought me to tears when creating it! It was customized for a customer whos wife was diagnosed with MS a year ago. They both play slow pitch co-ed softball together.  Their amazing team put together jerseys to rally around her and to support her in this fight. This bear is a dedication to her and her fight with MS!!! Thank you Kyle & Dorthy for letting me be a part of your fight!

 

I attended the Magna Art Festival as a vendor.  I donated a 6″ bear for their prize drawing.  I was excited to learn that the person who won the bear LOVED my booth and so very badly wanted to win something from it. When I presented it to him, he was ecstatic!  I also learned that he lost both of his legs as a complication to diabetes.  He got infections that went into the bone.  If just for a moment, I was able to bring a smile to his face with this bear. I was grateful for that experience.