FORT WORTH — Fort Worth residents are collecting stuffed animals to help improve the lives of children in their city.
The initiative is being organized by Larry Oneal of the Fort Worth Memories Museum and Facebook group in Fort Worth.
He thought of the idea while watching TV one day and seeing how domestic violence, an accident, health problems or any other life-altering event can impact a child.
“Just something that a child will warm up to when he or she is sitting there waiting for the police or fire department to finish their work, just something to take their mind off what they’ve just experienced,” said Oneal.
The response from group members and the community has been great. So far, the group has collected over 600 stuffed animals and donations keep coming.
“It’s very hurtful to see some of these scenes and situations that these children are involved in and have to be exposed to, so hopefully this will make a difference,” said Teal.
Residents like Teal want to make sure Oneal can reach the goal of getting 1,500 stuffed animals so they can be distributed amongst the city’s fire department, police department and paramedics.
“We’re gonna give 500 to the Fort Worth Fire Department, 500 to the Police Department and 500 to Medstar,“ shared Oneal.
“Somewhere in the city everyday either a Fort Worth police officer, a Fort Worth firefighter or maybe a paramedic from Medstar are going to encounter a child that either their parent has been injured, or their sibling or themselves have been injured,” explained Executive Assistant Chief Homer K. Robertson of the Fort Worth Fire Department. In his long career, Robertson said he has seen this caring tactic work first hand. He went on to say, “It kind of calms them down and they feel something fun and it kind of brings a little bit of hope and joy to them.”
Once Robertson takes the stuffed animals back to the station, they're bagged to ensure the furry toys are in pristine condition when in the child's possession.
“We’ll bag those, put them in resealable bags or sealable bags and then we will pass those out to distribute them to the different fire companies throughout the city,” said Robertson.
When they are all out, the Fort Worth Memories members said they'll be ready to do it all over again.
“I’m gonna do my part here today and I can also bring more at a later date,” said Teal, assuring that is what makes Fort Worth a great place to live.
“It’s Fort Worth helping Fort Worth and the quicker we all start helping each other the whole lot better we’re gonna be,” said Oneal, especially for its youngest residents.
