Teddy bears are known for their magical ability to comfort and soothe. So, when a Bridgewater businesswoman decided she wanted to establish a program to help children in crisis, it seemed only fitting that teddy bears of all shapes and sizes, would be at the crux.

The Bridgewater Bear Brigade is a fledgling organization established to give teddy bears to 700 kids a year in Beaver County who find themselves in crisis as a result of fire, automobile accident or domestic violence.

Sue Otto, past owner of Encore Consignment Shop, is the originator of the brigade. She appealed to the merchant sector of her community and welcomed the Bridgewater Business Association, WBVP Radio and Medic Rescue Ambulance Service as the sponsors for their new organization.

"Children, from infants to the age of 6, will be given a bear by the Medic Rescue team that responds to the emergency," says Skip Haswell, marketing and public relations director for Medic Rescue Ambulance Service. "The bears are meant to be a comfort and the means by which kids can take their minds off of the tragic incident."

Darlene Szczypinski, owner of Plum Puding and President of the Bridgewater Business Association, says the importance of programs like the brigade go way beyond helping kids at a time of crisis. Programs like the Bridgewater Bear Brigade bring a community together under one umbrella of caring.

"The Bridgewater Bear Brigade is new," says Mrs. Szczypinski, "but we have been extremely blessed by the help we are receiving from other companies, corporations and individuals who are helping us get started."

"Programs like this mean a lot to us," said Frank Iorio, Jr., owner and general manager of WBVP radio. "We (WBVP) felt it was a very good idea to be involved in the Bridgewater Bear Brigade."

WBVP plans to support the program through public service announcements, live remotes and interviews. Henderson Printing donated all the paper and printing services needed by the brigade and Bruster's Ice Cream and Yogurt donated ice cream containers to be used to collect spare change in local stores.

"Beaver County is an area where, traditionally, people reach out to each other," says Mrs. Otto. "That's what I love about this area. Adding one more good program to the great programs we already have just enhances who we are as a community."

To make a donation or to be involved in the Bridgewater Bear Brigade, contact L. Skip Haswell at 724-728-3621 or the Bridgewater Business Association.

The following are situations that a young person is given a "Bear to Hug":

1. Traffic accidents.
2. An incident where a parent or family member has died.
3. Children who have been victimized through sexual assault or physical abuse.
4. Any other situation that may arise whereby a small child is placed in a traumatic situation.