3,199

Days.

A fact that was pointed out to me this morning, by a 14 year old child.

Three thousand, one hundred and ninety-nine.

He tearfully shared.

Three thousand, one hundred and ninety-nine.

Days without his hugs.

Without phone calls.

Without e-mails.

Without hearing his voice.

Without having him to talk to.

Three thousand, one hundred and ninety-nine days.

Without.

And with the knowledge that this will never change.

She only had to ask ...

Oh, he danced around and was more animated than I ever could have imagined he'd be; My 14-year-old young man, in a lifesized Teddy Bear costume!

And when asked "what did your Mom have to promise you to get you to agree to be stuffed into a fur suit?", Jona responded:

"I know how important this project is. I was given a bear by the paramedics on the morning my Dad died. I know how much this means. She only had to ask."

The Teddy Bear Project
... providing Teddy Bears to children affected by domestic abuse and other traumatic events.

Mission: To give symbols of comfort and caring to children experiencing trauma due to violence in the home or an emergency medical situation.

Vision: We know that domestic abuse happens every day. We also know that organizations working with survivors need help. Unity of Greater Lansing is committed to supporting them through The Teddy Bear Project.

YOU CAN HELP!

We are collecting new Teddy Bears, from Beanie Baby size up to 18" long, to give to first responders (police, fire, ambulance, pediatric trauma unit) as well as to domestic violence shelters to distribute to children experiencing trauma.

Our goal is 25,000 bears. Yes, this number is sadly astronomical. Yet this is the number of bears that the agencies involved estimate that they use in ONE YEAR'S TIME. Won't you consider making a difference in the life of a traumatized child and send a bear?

Bears can be sent to:

UNITY OF GREATER LANSING
240 Marshall Street
Lansing, MI 48912
attn: Kate

This project is endorsed by:
The Lansing City Council
Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero
State Senator Gretchen Whitmer
Fire Chief Tom Cochran
Police Chief Mark Alley
Bishop David Maswell; Office of Community and Interfaith Initiatives