Dozens individual donors, businesses and community organizations donated money toward an effort – spearheaded by students of Southwestern Community College’s criminal justice program, who sought to help young victims of trauma or children in difficult situations.
Blaize Reha, a criminal justice student at SWCC, said the idea to help young victims was inspired by what they had learned in their victimology course taken this year. Disturbed by what they learned, the students wanted to find a way to help comfort victims.
“We all voted that getting these little teddy bears for children that are involved in domestic abuse or violence ... who might need something to hang on to, the officers can give it to them,” Reha said.
Reha said more than 100 teddy bears were purchased, which feature a sheriff’s badge and are branded with the Southwester Community College criminal justice program name. The bears will be distributed to law enforcement officers in Adair, Clarke, Union, Adams, Montgomery, Ringgold and Taylor counties and to the Iowa State Patrol.
Dio Ayala, criminal justice instructor at SWCC, said it was great to see the community supporting others within their community.
“It was a great fundraiser, a great community project. A lot of people gave money,” said Ayala. “It’s for a great cause because children are affected. If we can give something to them ... I think it’s great.”