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The Public Reaches Out To Our Children

March 16, 2006 -- When KSBJ-FM 89.3 Radio and the YMCA hosted a Hug-A-Bear campaign, the response from the public was overwhelmingly positive. The Houston Police Department received more than 9,000 stuffed animals to give to children who have suffered some level of trauma in their lives. The response from citizens demonstrates how nothing can touch a person's heart more than the thought of a child suffering.

Throughout an officer's career, he or she comes into contact with children whose lives have been touched by a stressful or traumatic event. With the public's help making the Hug-A-Bear drive an overwhelming success, the stuffed animals have been placed in each Houston Police Department patrol vehicle for officers to give to children involved in stressful situations. The effect of giving a child something as small as a stuffed animal can be astronomical in comforting the child.

Photos below are show HPD Lieutenant Robert Manzo accepting the donations on behalf of the Houston Police Department, patrol officers collecting the stuffed animals to be placed in patrol vehicles and how one teddy bear can impact a child's life.

MES/JFC
3-16-06

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.