Written by Molly Knight, Freshman, Penn High School
ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. — The Penn High School Republican Club presented their collection of stuffed animals from their Teddy Bear Drive to both the St Joseph County Police and the Mishawaka Police Departments. With help from both physical and monetary donations, the club was able to give the police departments 418 stuffed animals!
Why teddy bears? Police officers keep teddy bears or other stuffed animals in their patrol cars to give to children who may be at a crime scene or police-involved situation. The bears help calm and comfort the children during traumatic events and have been known to have lasting, positive impacts.
The club members who attended this meeting are Molly Knight, Josh Hyman, Ben Fox, Luke McDonald, Alex Trump, Nick Froehlke, Grant Parker, Cora Robison, Kyle Riffel and Bella Schaetzle. The officers who attended are CPL. Donald M Reppert, SGT. Tommy Teeter, Lt. Tim Williams, PFC. Bruce Faltynski, and A/C Bryan Fox.
Lavish by Lina Salon and Hyman Auto Supply donated $100 each to the Republican Club cause. Tasty Peach of Mishawaka and Cabela’s of Hammond donated stuffed animals or gave the club a great price on purchases. Penn Key Club also helped out.
Molly Knight is an aspiring journalist. She is a Freshman at Penn High School and member of the Penn Republican Club.
