MASONIC LODGE Creature comfort for kids

The Masons plan to donate bears for the Warren safety forces to give to children.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
LORDSTOWN -- Children involved in traffic accidents, fires or other tragedies can now find some comfort with a furry friend.
Members of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Valley of Youngstown, Ohio Silver Trowel Lodge No. 776 in Warren donated teddy bears to the village's police and fire departments Monday.
Joining Masons across the country, lodges throughout Ohio are now participating in the nationwide program.
"This is the first time we have presented bears," explained Ronald Gordon, treasurer of the local lodge.
Mason lodges in other states have developed similar programs, but this marks the first year lodges in Ohio have joined in.
More than 100,000 bears already have been distributed to safety forces throughout the state, Gordon said.
Lodge Master Jason Hays said bears will be given to the police and fire departments in Warren within the next few days.
Here's the plan
The bears -- which wear bright yellow shirts with the Masons logo on them -- will be stocked in safety vehicles and given to children as needed, Lordstown Police Chief Brent Milhoan and Fire Chief James Wishart explained.
"If a child is in a traffic accident, or if there is a domestic case where we need to take away a parent, we will give the bears to the children to help them through the tough time," Milhoan said.
Local Masons raised money through a spaghetti dinner to pay for the bears, Hays explained.
"There was even an elderly woman and gentleman who stopped by and saw the bears, and once they found out what they were for, gave a $50 donation," he said.
William Catlin, lodge secretary, said the group plans to continue raising funds to keep participating in the program.
slshaulis@vindy.com