Teddy bear project gives comfort to children in need

The church has given about 1,200 bears to children over the years, the senior pastor estimates.
By LINDA M. LINONIS
VINDICATOR RELIGION EDITOR
YOUNGSTOWN -- They're some fabric and stuffing, but their faces always seem to have an endearing expression. Children share their secrets with a teddy bear, and derive comfort in doing so.
The Rev. Dr. D. Larry Kline of Trinity United Methodist Church recognized that and came up with an idea involving teddy bears, a traditional gift at Christmas. The yuletide spirit of giving and genuine care and concern remain the foundation of the project. The teddy bears are distributed year-round to children in need.
"I don't know of anyone else in town who had done this," said the Rev. Dr. Kline, senior pastor, who initiated the project in 1993 when he came to the church at 30 W. Front St. "Its purpose was to offer some security to children in need or in foster care."
The teddy bears also are distributed at the United Methodist Community Center on Pearl Street. "Social services helps get them to troubled children," he said. The church also learns of prospective recipients through a variety of sources including word of mouth.
Remarkable sight
Watching the behavior of the donors of the teddy bears and the recipients is a heartwarming activity, he noted. As church pastor, Dr. Kline said he does get some "feedback" about recipients.
"On the first Sunday in Advent, many people in the congregation bring a bear. They walk up to the altar and place it there," Dr. Kline said. A sight to behold is seeing people in their 80s and 90s clutching bears and men cradling the stuffed toys.
"We might get 200 to 300 bears at that time. They're all different kinds," Dr. Kline said. The donations include traditional-looking bears in brown, pastel- and bright-colored bears, bears with bows around their necks or outfitted in vests, large and medium-sized bears and small bears for tiny arms to hug.
"I think we've given out some 1,200 bears over the years. As a church, we give away the bears like popcorn," Dr. Kline said. "I think they give a sense of security to anyone who gets them."
The bears also go to hospitalized children and children in a crisis situation in a family, such as a divorce, Dr. Kline explained. "It's a way to help take care of the children."
Source of aid and comfort
In a roundabout way, teddy bears sometimes go to children of couples married at the ecumenical Chapel of Friendly Bells, which is a part of Trinity United Methodist. Dr. Kline said it's been his experience that many of these couples turn to Trinity for help at times.
"A large number of families who I married and who are unchurched seek help here in a crisis," Dr. Kline said. "People tend to turn to God in a crisis ... but the seed is planted.
"The church is here -- downtown -- and open 24/7," he said. " We get calls when people are ill, fighting, having family problems."
Trinity also provides an outreach program in Bible studies to residents of International Towers and Amedia Plaza. "It's a way to get to know people," Dr. Kline said, noting the church's concern for social action.
The teddy bear project at Trinity is among other outreach programs including a nursing home ministry, holiday dinners for downtown residents, and the radio ministry Word and Music, at 7 a.m. Sundays on WKBN 570 AM.