Mimi Hymel

Mimi Hymel is a Hurricane Katrina survivor who has turned her traumatic childhood experience into a mission of compassion, founding the nonprofit Comfort Bears in a Catastrophe. After witnessing the devastating floods in Texas, she mobilized to provide stuffed animals to children affected by disasters, recognizing the profound comfort these items can bring during crises. With over 50,000 stuffed animals donated and initiatives that include connecting families to mental health resources, Hymel's work exemplifies resilience and empathy.