Special stop for special children
Published 8:57 pm Thursday, December 22, 2011
Alabama State Trooper Chris Fails presents a teddy bear to 14-month-old Asharia Craig Thursday at Vaughan Regional Medical Center. Teddy bears, sponsored by the Trooper Association, were presented to children in the pediatric ward. -- Tim Reeves
Alabama State Troopers took time off from patrolling Alabama’s highways Thursday to spread a little Christmas cheer to local children inside Vaughan Regional Medical Center’s pediatric ward.
Making stops to almost every room, public information officer Trooper John Reese led the effort, singing carols to each patient while other troopers presented the sick children with a trooper teddy bear. The troopers made an earlier stop in Demopolis to deliver bears before ending the campaign in Selma.
“There are some (troopers) going out throughout the state of Alabama at different times,” Reese said. “On behalf of the Alabama State Trooper Association and the Alabama Troopers, we want to wish you all a Merry Christmas.”
Starting 30 years ago as a way to help children who were traumatized during accident scenes, Reese said troopers decided to use the bears as a way to bring smiles at different times, especially for Christmas.
“This is very, very important,” Reese said. “The teddy bears bring a lot of joy during this time of year. It has a common effect, not only to kids but (to) adults — they love the teddy bears as well.”
The tradition of singing carols, Reese said, began in the early 2000s as something extra special.
“I wanted to do something to cheer people up during this time of year,” Reese said. “I go around to every public office to sing those Christmas carols. Everybody expects it every year. It gives me great joy just to see people smile this time of year.”
Vaughn registered pediatric nurse Teresa Smith, said the staff enjoy seeing the troopers and Santa Claus.
“It’s just great,” Smith said. “It’s unfortunate people have to be hospitalized during Christmas time, but that’s why we’re (medical staff) here. It does a lot for the parents too; they’re in the hospital and could be home with families.
Somebody coming in singing and giving out teddy bears breaks the monotony. Who’s not going to love that?”
The teddy bear campaign is an annual partnership between Alabama State Troopers and the Alabama State Trooper Association.
