SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Nina Meyerhof has seen the worst and the best sides of humanity, so she’s made it her goal to invest in future generations. And she’s done so with a teddy bear.
When you arrive at Nina’s home in South Burlington, you’re greeted by two symbols. Sun and peace.
“When I get inspired, I just do,” said Nina.
It’s not just words, but actions that define Nina. The native New Yorker came to Vermont in the early 70’s.
“I was running away from New York. No, what brought me to Vermont is I wanted to live my values… Which are to stand for good things, be connected to community, help each other,” said Nina.
Nina became the special education director for 10 schools in Wyndham County.
Nina: “And then I started Children of the Earth also. The idea is to see yourself as a global citizen, recognizing the issues in the world today, and working together to make a better world.”
Joe: “Obviously, you gravitate towards children.”
Nina: “And youth, yeah.”
Joe: “Why so?”
Nina: “Because I realized that children were carrying the future.”
She’s traveled to over 120 countries, many in conflict zones. Even with what she’s seen, Nina sees good in people.
Nina: “I’m optimistic, but I feel the pain… I like to stand up for what I believe and build new. I don’t like to hold on to negativity anymore.” Joe Carroll: “Your parents, you said, at least your dad didn’t hold any negativity.
Nina: “Right. He didn’t… My parents were Holocaust—both from Germany, came over here [as] survivors. All their family was killed, everything. And, of course, they had a lot of sorrow. My mother cried incessantly. But, on the other hand, they cared about humanity. They wanted that concept never again, you know?”
World peace is what Nina strives for, but it’s children dealing with trauma that’s close to her heart.
Joe Carroll: “And the life you believe in is helping children?”
Nina: “No, it’s changing the world.”
Joe Carroll: “That’s a big, lofty goal.”
Nina: Well, that’s how I do it. It’s through the voice of young people… It’s a lofty goal.”
She started Children of the Earth. Donations for the cause came from people and organizations, with the help of a certain stuffed animal.
“The teddy bear started when 9/11 happened. I was at the UN, and I saw the building come down. And to make a long story short, I went and walked downtown. Everybody else was walking out and running away. And I thought, if this is the revolution, I’m here,” said Nina.
Nina went on TV asking for stuffed animals for the traumatized kids. A woman from Oklahoma brought a busload of bears.
“I saw those kids grab those bears and hold them like, you know, holding on to life,” said Nina.
Thousands of teddy bears through the years have comforted children in need.
“When I went to Ukraine… I went the first week of the war with two friends and helped mothers who crossed the border and their children. And then got teddy bears, and we got 2,000 teddy bears. It was a lot of them,” said Nina.
From Eastern Europe to the fires outside of Los Angeles in January.
“There was an old man, and he was hugging the bear so much. And so I said, ‘Why are you hugging this bear?’ He said, ‘My wife died in the fire. And she used to collect bears.’ Yeah. And I mean, when you feel that story, you know, that was his story,” said Nina.
Nina’s story is at 83; her days of traveling to danger zones are winding down, but not her desire to help others.
“Everyone’s life has meaning and relevance, and it’s up to us. They each use your life well,” said Nina.
Indeed, a life well lived.
Copyright 2025 WCAX. All rights reserved.
