Even though the holiday season is over the spirit of giving does not need to diminish from the Katy community. In the greater Houston area, there are many foster homes filled with children who have been put into the system, as well as many others who are stuck in abusive households or dangerous situations. The Child Protective Service (CPS) aims to remove children from unfit homes and the foster system helps children without one find one. Even though Katy is a privileged area, these issues regarding child safety still lurk and Tompkins Athletic Administrator Darla Bergeron is doing what she can to help children feel safe, even when faced with adversity.

“The purpose of the drive is to collect teddy bears for each court to have on hand to give a child who is brought in under Child Protective Services or is being placed in a foster home,” said Bergeron.

Bergeron has started a teddy bear drive to collect stuffed animals for children who may be in scary situations. She wants to give the collected teddy bears to the local courts to give to children who have just been rescued by the CPS from a dangerous household or those who are being introduced to the foster system. Both of situations can be a jarring experience for a child.

“This will help touch the life of a child who has been suddenly taken from his/her environment, parents, and only home, in most cases, that he/she has ever known.  It is very scary and lonely to be put in a home that you have never been in. The hope is that by each child having something tangible to hold onto, it will help ease the fear of the unknown,” said Bergeron.

The situations these children are being introduced to is one that can bring about feelings of fear and loneliness, but what better to combat that with than a classic teddy bear. Something as simple as a stuffed animal can bring a frightened child comfort in a scary place.

“Students can help by setting small goals to help the athletic department reach its greater goal of collecting 1,000 teddy bears to donate,” said Bergeron.

Students are encouraged to bring in bears whether they are part of an athletic team or not. Anyone can donate to the cause. Students can look around their home for old teddy bears no longer in use or even buy new one’s for a low amount of money at stores like Target and Walmart. One small purchase could completely change a child’s outlook on their new living arrangement and even their outlook on life. Bears are being accepted at Bergeron’s office, room 1844, until Jan. 31.

UPDATE: The Athletic Department for your contributions to the Teddy Bear Drive, we collected a total of 477 Teddy Bears to be distributed among 10 district courts.