POLICE ASSOCIATION OF NOVA SCOTIA 45 In the News... Build-A-Bear project provides comfort at crucial time For children involved in domestic disputes or serious accidents, receiving a gift like a teddy bear from a police officer can make quite a difference in terms of creating a silver lining for a bad situation. Thanks to the efforts of Business Administration Financial Services students from the Nova Scotia Community College Kingstec Campus, Kentville Police have received a donation of 29 custom-made teddy bears and 24 store-bought bears that will be used to comfort children involved in such situations. Some of the bears will be taken to Chrysalis House as well. The students held myriad fundraisers since January and came up with $1,800 for the initiative. A group of 28 students traveled recently to the Build-A-Bear Workshop at the Mic Mac Mall in Dartmouth to craft the custom-made bears. Each bear component has a price and there’s a special process involved to create the stuffed animals. There was a party atmosphere as the students participated in many fun activities at the workshop. Teacher Vicki Dyer, who undertakes a large fundraising initiative with her students each year, suggested the project. Some of the fundraising activities included a rock-a-thon in rocking chairs at the County Fair Mall in New Minas and a prize raffle. The raffle was the single most successful fundraiser; about $600 accrued. Financial Services students Nick Merrett of north Kentville and Jonathan Jacquard of Auburn said the local business community was very supportive of their fundraising initiatives, especially in terms of providing prizes for the raffle. Merrett said he created a very casual bear because he wanted it to reflect his personality. “I like being outdoors and this is definitely an outdoors bear,” he said. Merrett said he knows there are a lot of kids in our area and although he was never involved personally in a domestic dispute, he would appreciate a special gift such as a teddy bear from a police officer if he were. “It’s one way of showing that the police care and are there for you,” he said. Learning experience Merrett points out that there is a party animal stereotype associated with college students and a fundraising campaign in the community such as this could help change the somewhat negative image of students in the eyes of some members of the general public. Jacquard said he made a bear in the image of Woody from the movie Toy Story. He said he liked the movie so he decided to choose that character. DONATED BEARS - Kingstec Financial Services students, including Nick Merrett (left), Jonathan Jacquard (right) and their classmates, raised $1,800 to make custom-made teddy bears to donate to the Kentville Police. Chief Mark Mander and Community Policing Coordinator Cst. Angie McWaid are extremely appreciative of the donation. The bears will be used as gifts to comfort children involved in accidents or domestic disputes. (cont’d...) By Kirk Starratt - The Advertiser, April 18, 2006
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