RED CROSS Helping children bear up in crisis

The bears were designed exclusively for the Red Cross.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- The American Red Cross and a toy company are teaming up to ensure young disaster victims are comforted in their time of need.
The Trumbull County Chapter of the American Red Cross received 144 Beanie Buddies from Ty Inc. to give to disaster victims.
The company is donating the bears, called Cashew, to Red Cross chapters across the country.
"These were designed exclusively for the Red Cross for disaster victims," said Jackie Wolf, director of development and marketing for the Trumbull chapter. "You can't buy them anywhere and you can't order them."
Last year, the Trumbull chapter responded to 72 disasters including house and apartment fires, providing victims with food, shelter and emotional support.
"In times of disaster, whether it be a single family fire or an incident that affects an entire neighborhood, victims need more than just food and shelter -- they need emotional support, especially children," Wolf said. "Thanks to Ty, we will be able to offer security in the form of a cuddly bear when they need it the most."
Something to hold onto
In many disasters, children leave their homes with nothing but the pajamas they have on, she said.
The cuddly, light brown bear with a peach ribbon tied around its neck is just the right size for a child to tuck under his or her arm.
"Children sometimes need something to hold onto and it helps them open up to you and they're more able to talk to you," Wolf said. "It gives them comfort."
Besides providing essentials such as food, clothing and shelter, the American Red Cross also works to offer mental health assistance when a disaster strikes.
Last year, the organization received more then 238,000 calls nationally for emotional support related to the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks alone.
Ty Inc. also donated more than $2 million to the American Red Cross disaster relief fund. The fund was started in response to the terrorist attacks.
The money was generated through the sale of three Beanie Babies for Red Cross disaster relief services. The limited edition, specially designed bears were available in red, white and blue.
dick@vindy.com