Duliban Insurance Pledges Year of Support to Comfort Bears

PELHAM, Ontario – May 20, 2026 – Duliban Insurance, a long-standing fixture in the Ontario insurance landscape, announced today it has named Comfort Bears its 2026 Charity of the Year. The partnership marks the latest chapter in the firm’s structured and impactful approach to corporate philanthropy, channeling its full resources into a single, community-focused organization for an entire year.

The Ancaster-based charity, Comfort Bears, provides therapeutic support bears and essential resources to children and youth grappling with terminal or chronic illness, as well as severe trauma. This focused support from Duliban Insurance and the Duliban Family Office is designed to amplify the charity's reach and deepen its impact on vulnerable families across the province.

A Strategic Model for Community Investment

For Duliban Insurance, this announcement is not just another donation; it is the culmination of a deliberate, annual process. Since twin brothers Jason and Adam Duliban took leadership of the family business in 2013, the company has refined a unique philanthropic model, donating a total of $750,000 to various Niagara-region organizations. Instead of spreading contributions thinly, they select one "Charity of Choice" each year through a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) process. This strategy allows the company to concentrate its financial support, volunteer hours, and promotional power for maximum effect.

This focused approach proved highly successful in 2025, when the company raised $69,000 for Shoebox Niagara. Those funds enabled the distribution of over 1,000 gift-filled shoeboxes and thousands of dollars in gift cards to local women facing homelessness. The company hopes to achieve a similar, significant outcome for Comfort Bears.

"Duliban Insurance is deeply committed to making a difference in our communities through active support of charitable organizations, local initiatives, and causes that align with our values," said Jason and Adam Duliban in a statement. "Investing not just financially, but with our time, energy, and leadership to create lasting impact. Comfort Bears is an amazing charity that provides care to those in need through meaningful community support. It's our privilege to support such a great charity!"

This philosophy is a core part of the company's DNA, echoing the principle of its founder, James Duliban: "If we take care of the community, the community will take care of us." This ethos is embedded in their operations, from encouraging every employee to take a paid "Duliban Day" for volunteering to donating $1 from every single insurance policy sold directly to the year's chosen charity.

The Quiet Power of a Comfort Bear

The need for an organization like Comfort Bears is stark. Recent data indicates that nearly one in four children and youth in Canada live with a diagnosed long-term health condition. This figure doesn't even account for the thousands more who experience severe trauma from accidents, domestic crises, or loss. In these moments of profound distress, a simple act of comfort can be transformative.

Founded by Lena Basford, Comfort Bears was created to fill this specific emotional void. The charity has delivered over 10,215 bears in just a few years, working through a network of more than 30 hospitals, hospices, and first responder units across Ontario. Each bear is more than a toy; it is a therapeutic tool. For a child facing a frightening medical procedure, a bear can become a patient stand-in for doctors to demonstrate on. For a child rescued from a traumatic environment, the bear is a non-judgmental confidant and a source of stability.

The organization's impact is often felt in quiet, powerful moments. Anecdotes from their partners describe children who haven't spoken in days whispering secrets to their new bear, or a child who witnessed violence vowing to protect their furry friend. Beyond the bears themselves, the charity provides crucial caregiver resources and activity kits, recognizing that supporting a child means supporting the entire family unit through crisis.

Amplifying Impact Through Partnership

Throughout 2026, the collaboration between Duliban and Comfort Bears will manifest in several key initiatives. The insurance brokerage will leverage its signature annual charity golf tournament in September as a major fundraising platform. Community members and corporate partners will be invited to contribute through participation, sponsorships, and referral-driven giving programs.

The consistent, year-round funding from the $1-per-policy donation provides a stable and predictable revenue stream, allowing Comfort Bears to better plan its distribution and outreach efforts. This integration of business activity and charitable giving demonstrates a sustainable model of corporate social responsibility.

By selecting Comfort Bears, Duliban Insurance shines a spotlight on a critical but often overlooked aspect of healthcare: the emotional well-being of children in crisis. This year-long partnership will not only provide essential funding but also raise the charity's profile, attracting more volunteers, partners, and donors. It's a powerful example of how a regional business can act as a catalyst for significant social good, ensuring that more children in their darkest moments have a soft place to land and a friend to hold onto.