Friday, May 18, 2007; Posted: 4:30 p.m. (CDT)
Oklahoma City -- Hearts across the nation went out to tornado victims in Greensburg, Kansas two weeks ago when a tornado ripped their city apart. A local high school employee garnered support from students and faculty members to make a difference for the victims.
Dozens of teddy bears are on a journey. Many of them will make their way from John Marshall High School into the hands of children who lost everything in Greensburg.
John Marshall Secretary, Cindy Eggeling, wanted to help when saw the devastation.
"Our school mascot is bears, what a better way for our students to give back than to donate bears to children in need," says Eggeling.
She organized a teddy bear drive. The goal was to collect 150 bears in one week. The final count was 171 bears.
Barbara Leininger, with Hugs Across America and Kelsey's Purpose, will help distribute the bears. She was shocked to learn so many had been donated.
"I was speechless. I had chills. I don't think we expected this many at all," says Leininger.
The project hits home for student Keene James. He's had family members loose their livelihood because of tornado damage.
"I know a little bit of how it is. They don't have anywhere to stay, you're homeless for a little while. You do sometimes need help to get back to your feet. I think a bear would help you a little bit to know that somebody does care," says James.
Eggeling wanted to teach students to give to others in need and donating the bears was a great way to convey her lesson.
"I'm just so proud of our staff and our students, they supported us. It was just great what they've done," says Eggeling.
Some of the bears may also go to the nearly 7,000 children in foster care in our state.
