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Cuddly Crisis Control
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It’s a favorite childhood memory – a warm, fuzzy bear. The stuffed animal is like an emotional sponge, soaking up fear and anxiety. That comfort was on the minds of some Tennessee United Methodist youth, who recently made hundreds of teddy bears for children in distress. |
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SCRIPT:
Before Officer Pamela Jones starts her day, she always packs her teddy.
Officer Pamela Jones: “Having these teddy bears will bring us closer to that child and make them more accessible to talk to us.”
With their uniforms and pistols, the police can look scary to a child.
Officer Michael Potts: “If you’re a police officer with a teddy bear, they tend to look at you as being not quite so intimidating.”
To comfort children in already stressful situations, Smyrna, Tenn., police carry stuffed animals made by United Methodist teenagers.
Tabetha Reed / Teen: “ It’s comfort and support when no one else is there.”
Tabetha Reed’s favorite comfort creature was a bunny named Fou Fou. She spent a Saturday afternoon with hundreds of other teens stuffing and sewing teddy bears.
Workshop coordinator Pam Wells says the media often portrays teens as self-centered and indifferent. But she’s found they’re eager to help.
Pam Wells: “Any kind of opportunity that’s presented to them, where they can take what God has given them and use those talents and help someone else, makes them happy.”
Andrew Hargrove / Teen: “It lets them know that someone actually cares.”
Twelve-year-old Andrew Hargrove learned to sew in the Boy Scouts.
Andrew Hargrove: “It’ll make a child feel happy and feel loved in the world and feel like they have meaning.”
Bits of cloth sewn into shape – something small making a difference for small people.
Pam Wells: “I hope they take home with them a pride in knowing that the love and care that they have can be sent to others, even in a bear.”
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The church youth group assembled and decorated more than 300 teddy bears, which were distributed to police and fire departments across Tennessee.