One fact of life is that children get older and quickly outgrow shoes and shirts. And even beloved toys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One Indianapolis-area mom faced that reality recently in her daughter\u2019s bedroom: The giant teddy bear who had watched over her daughter for years as she played and slept and dreamed about her future had been supplanted by new friends and new interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, what to do with an old but still special companion?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The mom had a thought \u2013 some would say an inspired thought \u2013 about calling Shepherd Community Center to ask if her daughter\u2019s teddy bear could somehow bless a new generation of children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s when Kyndra Green, a development associate at Shepherd, entered the story. Green learned about the potential donation and had her own inspired thought: The kids who attend Shepherd Neighborhood Childcare at the Minnie Hartmann Center<\/strong><\/a> would love the giant but gentle bear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDiana (Reed, director of the childcare center) immediately knew that she wanted the teddy bear and how she would use it,<\/em>\u201d Green said. \u201cShe wanted to put it in the hallway by the entrance where the children walk in every morning, and she already had ideas of dressing it up for different holidays.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And so, the old bear found a new home. And a new batch of young friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI was at Minnie Hartmann dropping something off last week and saw the bear in the hallway corner,\u201d <\/em>Green said. \u201cI asked Diana about it. She shared that there are children who hug it before they leave every day and that it has put a smile on many children’s faces and on her own face.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Gifts that bless a child come in many forms. Sometimes it\u2019s the donation of a good meal at Thanksgiving. Sometimes it\u2019s a present to share at Shepherd\u2019s annual Christmas Store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And sometimes it\u2019s an old teddy bear who still has plenty of love to share.<\/p>\n\n\n\n