Pittsburg has announced a new Teddy Bear Drive initiative which is aiming to raise stuffed animals for children in need. Here is how you can help.
Councilman Dan Gilman and Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Chief Cameron McLay announced the joint effort to gather as much stuffed animals as possible. The toys will be given out to children who are affected in some way by emergencies.
“Our officers often encounter people when they’re having one of the worst days of their lives. When children are involved, it can be extremely difficult for them to understand what’s happening. We hope these stuffed animals provide comfort to them in tragic situations,” said McLay. “This is a great opportunity for the Police Bureau to partner with the community to make a difference. These stuffed animals will help the children in our community know that the community cares, and that Pittsburgh Police are here to help them.”
“No one wants to imagine a scenario where a young child is affected by a fire, a medical emergency, or worse, but our hope is that this is one more way our city’s first responders can help care for kids affected by crisis and trauma,” Mr. Gilman said.
The Teddy Bear Drive will continue until April 30th 2016. Despite the name, all kinds of stuffed animals are accepted as long as they are smaller than 12 inches and are new and placed in a plastic bag. To help kick off the drive, the Moose Lodge fraternal organization donated 100 Tommy Moose stuffed animals.
There will be several drop-off locations available through April 30th. All six police zone buildings will accept stuffed animal donations. Also The lobby of the Pittsburgh City Council offices on the fifth floor of the City-County Building, Downtown will have a collection bin. The Jewish Community Center’s Squirrel Hill and South Hills location also will take part in accepting stuffed animal donations.
