BY MELISSA PYLE
Special to the Telegraph
The Altrusa Club of Starke gifted the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office 100 “Teddy Bear Comfort Bags” on Jan. 27. The bags were made possible by a grant from the Altrusa International Foundation in the amount of $2,500 and additional $500 grant by the local chapter.
Sheriff Gordon Smith was on hand to welcome the group and receive the bags on Monday. He thanked them and said these bags will be put into the hands of children and teens and will give them something to focus on rather than the trauma they’ve been exposed to.
Altrusa Club of Starke President Rachel Rhoden said each new club president sets objectives and goals, and she had a vision to help local children in crisis. Rhoden has seen first hand what many children experience while working as the chief deputy clerk in the Bradford County Clerk of Courts office. Rhoden said she’s had an “inside view” to what many children and teens have to endure when tragedy or trauma strikes, and knows these bags will be distributed to children who are in need of victim advocacy services.
Club members gathered together days before delivery to fill each comfort bag with a teddy bear, blanket, book, coloring book, crayons, puzzle, baby wipes, toothbrush, toothpaste and snacks. Rhoden said these items give a sense of comfort to otherwise scared children.
The club was excited to achieve 100% participation from members on this project. A project that will provide comfort in otherwise scary circumstances, to the victims of domestic abuse, car accidents, house fires and other life altering situations.
