Our Story
Bear Strong Mission started after my dear dad, Dr. Brennan Hill passed away at the age of 86 after a severe heart attack. My dad always served the poor and as my mom continues to today through the Bellarmine Chapel Chapter of Saint Vincent de Paul in Cincinnati, Ohio. I felt lost and felt called to do something to keep his legend going. The first year, I posted on a local mom's group asking if there were any families that needed assistance for Christmas to contact me. From that post, I received several messages from community members who wanted to adopt a family or a child for Christmas and that year, 26 kids were given a Christmas that may not have had one otherwise. Two years later, my dear friend, Shawna partnered with me and we were able to gather more volunteers. Five years later, on December 12, 2025, the same day my dad left us Bear Strong Mission Inc officially became a non-profit (now if that isn't a sign that this was supposed to happen:)!, and 57 kids were given a Christmas that may not have had one otherwise.
Finding Inspiration in Every Turn
About Us
Bear Strong Mission Inc is comprised of three board members, Ami Armbruster, Founder and President, Sarah Cameron, Treasurer, and Trina Devadhar Hemmelgarn, Secretary. There are two honorary members, Shelby Dehart and Shawna Caldwell.
Ami is married and they have three beautiful girls. Her oldest is a talented nail artist and server at a high-end restaurant in Covington, KY, her middle daughter graduated from Ohio Northern with her bachelor's in mechanical engineering and currently works for a company in Findlay, Ohio. Ami's youngest is a sophomore at Michigan State University. Ami is a Claims Analyst for an insurance company and is trying to adapt to being an empty nester.
Sarah is married with a charming daughter in high school and a son in college. Sarah is an Accountant for a non-profit and in her free time, she loves to spend time with family and her six dogs. (Yep, 6!).
Trina is married with three wonderful daughters with her two oldest in high school and her youngest in elementary school. Trina is a pharmacist in the NICU at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. She loves to watch her daughters play sports and hang out with her dog (who she may love more than her people, but we won't tell).
Shelby is Ms. Coney! Shelby has two successful adult daughters and lives with her partner, Steve. She worked at Skyline Chili in high school, through college and now works full time as a manager. She has the biggest heart and would give the shirt off her back, if someone needed it.
Shawna owns Moppin' Mommies Cleaning Business and has three adult children and a daughter in elementary school. She assists in coaching her daughter's jump roping competition squad and volleyball team. In her free time, if there is a moment to spare, she gardens and will have enough vegetables to possibly feed a few hundred families this summer (ok, maybe an exaggeration).
Ami is not sure how or why she was so blessed to have these incredibly talented women choose to walk on this journey with her but is so thankful for them along with her awesome volunteers who come back year after year, excited to give families going through hardship a Christmas to remember!
