Established in May 1998, Cubs for Kids is receiving strong support from many organizations throughout the United States. A corporate gift in 1998 started the organization. In 1999, a donation from MBNA Educational Trust, Fortistar, and The Howard Sloan Koller Group were used to purchase the bear cubs from The Bearington Collection. Knitting shops including Lee's Yarn in Bedford Hills, Goldman's Yarn in White Plains, Patternworks in Poughkeepsie, Machine Knitting Etc. in Scarsdale all of New York as well as The Whippletree in Woodstock, Vermont have been very generous in their support of this project. Volunteer knitters from all over the country sent sweaters, hats and scarves for the bear cubs. Knitting Guilds, senior citizen groups, 4-H groups, church groups as well as individual knitters across the country are some of those participating in this project. The Yarn Council of America, Vogue Knitting, Knitters Magazine, and The Knitting Guild of America have also provided support .