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photo by: Shelley Hanson
Holding some of the bears brought to WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital in Morgantown are, from left, Ohio County Sheriff’s Department Maj. Rod Vaughn, West Virginia State Police Sgt. Darren Matthews, Ohio County Sheriff’s Department Cpl. Andy Weisal, and Wheeling Police Department Lt. Russell Campbell and Cpl. Gerald Mitchell. Officials provided an escort for the bears to the state line Thursday.
Children receiving care at WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital in Morgantown will receive early Christmas gifts thanks to a donation of dozens of cuddly bears from Jim Robinson Ford and the Neighborhood Ford Store.
Mike DeArdo, sales and leasing manager at Jim Robinson Ford, delivered the bears to the hospital Thursday afternoon. He received a police escort across the state line from several local members of law enforcement including West Virginia State Police Sgt. Darren Matthews, Wheeling Police Department Lt. Russell Campbell and Cpl. Gerald Mitchell, and Ohio County Sheriff’s Department Maj. Rod Vaughn and Cpl. Andy Weisal.
Jim Robinson was also on hand for the sendoff.
Matthews said State Police and other agencies want to help DeArdo and the bears begin the journey safely.
“Especially for children in need, anything that makes them feel better is definitely worth the effort,” he said of the officials’ role in safely bringing toys to the hospital.
DeArdo said the bears were purchased by Ford from Build-A-Bear Workshop.
“It’s very important,” he said of the donations and deliveries. “For a child, maybe a bear can help them a little bit. They’re comfort bears.”
DeArdo said this will be the first Teddy bear donation by the Neighborhood Ford Store since the children’s hospital is a new service for West Virginia.
The WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital toy drive begins Sunday in Morgantown. The ride will feature a special teddy bear delivery truck.
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