Social responsibility is a key corporate value of BonVoyou as a company. We've created a unique program where we partner with key charitable organizations to donate a portion of every purchase that is made on our site to help improve schools and access to education, address the needs of our communities, help our planet, and ensure that we can all live longer, healthier lives. When you make a purchase on BonVoyou, we'll automatically donate a share of our profits to these organizations.
We do this so that every time we help create a memorable travel experience for our customers, we also help make our communities and our world a little bit better place.
Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation is a national organization founded in 1992 whose mission is to eliminate pediatric cancer and provide hope and support to those who are touched by it.
Bear Necessities was inspired by the dreams of a young eight-year-old boy, Barrett “Bear” Krupa. During his five-and-a-half-year battle at a Chicago hospital with Wilms tumor, a form of pediatric cancer, Bear expressed more concern for other pediatric cancer patients than he did for himself. Bear and his family saw the potential for additional support services within pediatric oncology facilities and became keenly aware of the need for research. It was through these experiences that he and his mother, Kathleen A. Casey, formed a foundation aimed at helping others just before his death in the winter of 1993.
Have a charity that you think would make a great partner for BonVoyou? We'd love to hear from you here.
Every year, Bear Necessities touches the lives of 400 children and families across Illinois battling pediatric cancer and 12,000 more across the country through its three key programs – our Small Miracle Program, Information and Support Service Program and Research Grant Program – all supported 100% through philanthropy.
The Small Miracle Program is designed to brighten the lives of young cancer patients through small acts of kindness at a time when they need it most. Small Miracles are special, unique experiences that bring a smile to the face of a child battling cancer and give them the opportunity to “just be a kid.” Examples of Small Miracles that have made a difference in the lives of young cancer patients include tickets to a major sporting event, a special dinner with family prior to a bone marrow transplant, Lion King tickets, a weekend trip downtown, a shopping spree, a spa day, an “End of Treatment” party and a trip to the American Girl Doll store, among many other “Miracles” that have created priceless memories for a child and family. This year, we expect to fulfill more than 317 Small Miracles for pediatric cancer patients. In addition, the program provides financial assistance to these Small Miracle Families for immediate and essential needs, such as utility bills, a gift card for groceries or a gift card to purchase gas so a family can continue back and forth to appointments.
Information & Support Service Grants are awarded each year across the nation to pediatric oncology facilities and organizations for programs or projects that directly impacts patients, their families and hospital facilities. Bear Necessities gave $168,092.00 in Information Support Service Grants reaching 18 states last year, and touching the lives of more than 11,500 children and families across the country.
Medical Research Grants are awarded each year nationwide to junior investigative researchers who make meaningful advancements and discoveries towards finding a cure and therapies for various types of pediatric cancer. Bear Necessities gave $240,000 in Research Grants reaching five states last year and hosts “Cracking the Code with the Bear,” an annual Research Symposium to bring leading senior graduate students in the field of cancer biology and epigenomics to foster collaborations and help bring us one step closer to finding a cure for this devastating disease.
