DPS receives donation of stuffed animals for children in crisis situations

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas -- The outpouring of toys for children during the holidays reached an all-time record, but there’s never a shortage of needs. A long-standing practice, the Department of Public Safety, as well as other peace-keeping agencies, carry stuffed animals in their patrol cars for children involved in calls they make. They rely on donations to provide children in crisis with a warm and fuzzy means of support, but the DPS could ‘barely’ believe the den of bears they received from a local resident. DPS spokesman, Trooper Erik Burse, took the bears into temporary custody to distribute to the other troopers.

“Organizations like Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) donate to us too, but this was a lot of bears from one individual,” said Trooper Burse.

It was no coincidence the bears totaled 26; the number of victims at the Sandy Hook Elementary School.

“We’re never sure when or where a situation like that will occur,” said the 85-year old resident who wished to remain anonymous. “Hopefully never again, but I just wanted to make sure there were plenty of bears available.”

The community can contribute to any of the county’s peace-keeping organizations; the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department and the Constable’s office are other considerations. For sanitary reasons the stuffed animals need to be new and not over-sized. Call the agencies first, to see where the need is the greatest.