STUDENT COUNCILS CONCULDE 'BEAR DRIVE'

"They usually quit crying right away," said Brad Golden, chief of the Jackson Fire and Rescue Unit. "It takes the focus off what's going on around them."

"You can literally see a 100 percent change in a kid if you give them a bear," agreed Rodney Barnes, resource officer at Jackson High School and a veteran law enforcement officer.

The bears in question are stuffed toys given by emergency personnel to children involved in car wrecks, fires, domestic violence or other emergencies. The cuddly toys tend to soothe the frightened children and make it much easier for emergency personnel to tend to urgent business.

Wednesday the JHS and R.O. Hawkins Middle School student councils provided the Jackson fire and police departments with more than 200 stuffed toys to give to children in such situations.

"Getting these is really great," Golden said. "Our supply was about out."

The JHS FCCLA (Future Career and Community Leaders of America) had previously given a supply of bears to boost the dwindling supply.

"We really appreciate getting these from both the FCCLA and the Student Council," Golden said.

"It's helpful to us to take these with us to accidents or domestic violence calls," Barnes said. "It makes a big difference."

He noted that the fire and police departments are always happy to accept clean donated toys.

Student collected bears and other stuffed toys for about six weeks as one of the StuCo's major projects for the year.

Junior Jennifer Goodwin, who chaired the bear drive along with Autumn Clardy, said that sponsor Sarah Nussbaum brought the idea to the StuCo.

"Mrs. Nussbaum brought it up and we thought it would be an excellent idea," Goodwin said.

"Two hundred bears was a real good thing," Clardy said. "I'm really proud of everybody to bring all these bears. It shows how good a community Jackson is."

Student Council members cleaned the toys that needed cleaning and added a bow and a laminated poem by Tammy Clardy of Angelic Phrases -- Autumn's aunt.

The poem reads:

If you ever have a secret,

Whisper softly in my ear ...

If you ever need a bear hug,

Simply hold me very near.

I'll always be your special friend,

With bear hugs every day;

May God bless and keep you happy,

In whatever comes your way.