Children who are the victims of crime and other traumatic events investigated by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office will be comforted thanks to the generosity of the Greater Mid-South Jaycees.  Sheriff Mark H. Luttrell, Jr., will be receiving approximately 200 stuffed teddy bears this week from the Greater Mid-South Jaycees at a ceremony at the Sheriff’s Office Substation in Arlington.

“We can’t thank the Jaycees enough for their desire to help children.  Our deputies come into contact with children each day who are at the scene of crimes or involved in vehicle crashes.  It’s amazing how a stuffed animal can quickly calm the fear of a child who’s been through an upsetting event,” said Sheriff Luttrell.

Photos of the presentation held on January 26, 2007
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The stuffed bears will be placed in Sheriff’s Office squad cars and kept at various Sheriff’s Office bureaus.

This past August, a bowling competition sponsored by the Greater Mid-South Jaycees was held at Billy Hardwick All-Star Lanes on Quince Road in East Memphis.  Bowling team members paid an entry fee which went to pay for the stuffed bears.

“Being a partner with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office is a wonderful way to help children. Leadership training is the hallmark of the Jaycees.  We train our members to grow professionally through various service projects like the ‘Bowling for Bears’ initiative.  We want members of the Greater Mid-South Jaycees to be an asset to our community,” said Lisa Perkins, Vice-President of Community Development for the Greater Mid-South Jaycees and Co-Chair of “Bowling for Bears” project.   

Ms. Perkins and others with the Greater Mid-South Jaycees will make the presentation of the stuffed bears to Sheriff Luttrell this Friday, January 26, at the Sheriff’s Office Substation located at 11670 Memphis Arlington Road in Arlington.  The event begins at 4:00 p.m.