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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
January 2002 |
Bear brigade:
Messengers of comfort
By Lynne DeMichele
Editor, Hoosier United Methodist News
After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the American citizenry mobilized. Millions of dollars were raised for the relief effort, messages of concern, sympathy, support poured toward the enormous national wound that was "Ground Zero" in New York City. American flags sprouted overnight throughout neighborhoods, cities, workplaces. A tide of collective prayer continues to flow in to the areas targeted by the attacks. Even children responded to the crisis, sending dollar bills by the thousands to the relief effort.
Here in Indiana an 11-year-old boy on his way to a Confirmation class retreat had an idea, fueled by his eagerness to do something to help the children whose parents never came home that infamous day. Austin Strong's idea resonated with other kids, and three weeks later they had collected around 1,000 teddy bears.
His mother, Gail Strong, amazed at how the idea took on a life of its own, said the thought of providing comfort in the form of teddy bears for the children whose parents would never come home again, "really spoke to kids that age." They made announcements during Sunday worship, distributed fliers, talked it up. The bears are now on their way to Toys for Tots in New York, as well as to the three United Methodist Churches near Ground Zero which continue to minister to the workers and families of those affected by the crisis.