Text (in HTML text) is below the images. Stepbrothers' work aids hurricane kids Stuffed animals go to those affected by Katrina DAYTON Stefan and Chris, who turns 8 today have proved that some hard work and caring for others can benefit many.  The stepbrothers launched Project Teddy Bear as a response to Hurricane Katrina after members of Chris' family ,who live in Hattiesburg, Miss, were affected. "We were talking about how we could help" Stefan said. "The Red Cross baby wanted money and we don t have any money. Instead of helping the parents, we  thought we could help the kids." Chris went to the Beavercreek Wal Mart and asked if it could help. Wal Mart donated a certificate, which the family used to buy barrels for collection.  Stefan dictated a letter to his principal at  ------ Elementary and to the pastor of ----------------------------- where the family attends church, asking to place the collection barrels.  His request was granted. The boys collected stuffed animals for a reopen and made two donations totaling nearly 800 items. The first donation was sent through the AMVETS post off Woodman Dr, to Jackson, Miss. The second donation went through the NAACP's Dayton office which had a drop-off point at Chris' Kitchen, then to Mississippi and Louisiana. There were donations of "huge brand new staffed animals. People went out of their way to support this project," said Aubrey, thier mother. Most of the donations came from individuals, but some also came from the FreeCycling community, a Yahoo Internet group the family belongs to. The group works to keep items out of landfills. The  boys started Project Teddy Bear "because we knew there were poor people getting hurt from hurricanes" Chris said. The project Involved a lot of hard work, including "taking the animals out of bags, sorting them, putting them back in bags and putting them in the car for three days,"  Chris said. "Next time I would send games and send batteries and air conditioning." The best part was helping the people, according to Stefan who feels good about the project. And, of course they have Mom's admiration. 'I'm very proud of them. We try so hard as homeschooling parents and members of our faith to teach them that it's not just about them" Aubrey said. "They have a responsibility to people in the community and people that they might not even know." 'It was awesome, to watch my lads realize that there are people out there hurting and they can do something."
Back to Newness is Relative