What started as a way to destress has become internationally recognized and a way to connect with others struggling. 

A local Winnipeg woman, Vinora Bennett simply started sculpting snow as a way to combat her depression but it quickly grew into something more.

"I was going through a lot of stuff, I still am, and I needed something to occupy my mind. I don't know why building a snowman was something that was so important to me but I really wanted to do that," says Vinora Bennett, a Winnipeg woman. 

Bennett started with a snowman in her backyard. She moved on to the Olaf character from the Pixar movie Frozen. From there, she went online for inspiration and found cute polar bears. 

"This all happened at a time where I started wondering where God was in all of this. I was depressed and feeling hopeless about my situation. But then God did show up for me in a huge way," Bennett shared on a Facebook post on January 18. "I would never have planned it like this! I haven't practiced my art in years and have never sculped anything out of snow. I just needed something to keep my mind busy."

Sculpting snow has become a way to stay mentally healthy for Bennett.

"It was very therapeutic. It was a project I could work on and focus all my attention on. I just loved it so much that I wanted to build a few more."

Bennett calls this a 'healing experience'. Kids in the neighbourhood would pass by and share how much they enjoyed her sculptures, and then adults did too. People have even been driving out from different communities, such as Steinbach or Selkirk, just to see the bears.

"I thought, we live on Barrington, I'm just going to create a little play spot for the bears. I'm amazed at how much joy it's brought to people."

Some onlookers didn't just enjoy the scene but began opening up to Bennett. 

"There are actually people that stopped by and would share their own struggles that they're going through. I thought, wow, I'm not alone in this and other people are struggling at this time too. I can't believe that God used me in this way."

Recently, Bennett garnered international recognition when she went on Live with Kelly and Ryan, with hosts Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest.  

More than just something to look at, Bears on Barrington has also garnered donations and awareness for Union Gospel Mission in Winnipeg. 

"When I started raising money for UGM, I was so surprised by the generosity of people. We raised over $2,000 in two weeks, and for me that's nuts. I think God knows what we need and He provides for us. I'm so glad He used me."

As for the sculpting, it's simply something Bennett tried and realized she could do. As many passerby's ask, she explains how she got the baby polar bear to stay on the tree.

"I work for a stucco company so I stapled some wire on the tree and started packing the snow on the wire," she says. 

There are 23 sculpted polar bears in her front yard, but Bennett is going to sculpt more. In fact, on January 30 she'll be at Union Gospel Mission to sculpt one on their property.

"They're helping people in need right now and there's a lot of need right now. If I can be used to bring some more awareness, I'm glad to do it."

Bennett is inviting people to drive by and make a donation on that day while she's sculpting to help out the organization further. She's starting the sculpture at 10:00 am.