Central Texas Veterans Health Care System
Teague Center residents donate stuffed animals to Temple Fire and Rescue
January 18, 2011
A group of residents from the Domiciliary Residential Rehabilitation and Treatment Program at the Olin E. Teague Veterans' Medical Center will donate more than 70 stuffed animals through its HUGS Program to the Temple Fire and Rescue Department Wednesday, January 19, at 10 a.m. in the Recreation Hall at the Teague Center’s Domiciliary (Building 202).
Now in its third year, the HUGS program can be attributed to one Teague Center resident who read a book that mentioned a police officer wishing he had some type of toy to give a child involved in a police intervention. After receiving permission to start the project, he began collecting tigers, bears, rabbits, and other stuffed animals. Also wanting to help children who are victims, other residents joined in project, and in 2008, the first HUGS Program donation of stuffed animals was made to the Temple Police Department. Since then, more than 200 stuffed animals and dolls have been donated to give children who are involved in accidents and other situations. Not only is the toy something for the child to hang on to in order to help ease their fears, but it also gives officers and firemen a chance to create a bond with a child to help them realize that they are there to help.
This year because of the numerous fires in 2010, the group decided to donate the stuffed animals to Temple Fire and Rescue. Fire Chief Wallace Lonzo will accept the donation.
Media wishing to attend should call Nikita Floore with CTVHCS at (254) 743-2376 or cell (254) 295-7024.
