MOUNT VERNON – Friday, October 27 was Teddy Bear Day in the United States, an observance created to honor one of childhood’s favorite toys.
But for the Mount Vernon Police Department, teddy bears are part of each day protecting the city’s residents.
For a couple of decades now, the MVPD has handed out teddy bears to children in crisis who the department’s officers encounter in the course of performing their duties. Over the years, a variety of organizations have stepped forward to provide the police department with teddy bears for this effort.
This year the St. Vincent de Paul School, 206 E. Chestnut St., Mount Vernon, stepped up, donating 40 of the toys.
“Our officers always keep a few teddy bears in their cruisers to give out to traumatized kids,” said Police Chief Robert Morgan. “We thank the St. Vincent de Paul School for their support, and promise to give these teddy bears a good home.”
Mayor Matthew Starr thanked the city’s Recreation Board for helping make Friday’s teddy bear donation happen.
“Anything we can do to show the city’s youngest residents that police officers aren’t scary but are here to help them is vital,” he said. “Their mission to protect and serve can mean so many things, including handing out a teddy bear to a child in need from time to time.”