SAN BERNARDINO>> Numerous teddy bears were given to North Park Elementary School students following a deadly shooting on campus back in April; San Bernardino City Unified School District is paying it forward with a little help from its friends.
Ellen Weisser, a longtime citizen of Redlands and community advocate, partnered with the school district to donate 1,000 stuffed animals to the Children’s Assessment Center in San Bernardino. "The donation, which was made last month, made an instant impact", Weisser said. The Children’s Assessment Center of San Bernardino at 700 Gilbert St. supports abused children and their families through various means, including health exams and counseling. The center is made possible through a partnership between San Bernardino County and Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital.
"Donating to the Children’s Assessment Center was a simple decision", Ontiveros said, considering the center looks to heal children in need just as the district meant to do with the bears for North Park students. “At North Park, there are about 600 students. So, the outpouring of support for the kids who were overcoming a tragedy was overwhelming and we had more than we needed to help our kids heal,” she said. “The center interacts with kids who, too, need comfort, and this seemed like the right extension of that idea.”
Weisser knew transporting the bulk of teddy bears was a task meant for more than just one person, so she enlisted the help of a few friends and fellow Bonnes Meres members. Bonnes Meres is a non-profit that supports the Children’s Fund. “I knew this would be a perfect place for the bears,” Weisser said. “And everyone coming together to help was such a blessing. I think it’s so interesting and wonderful to have that interconnectedness.” Ontiveros agreed.
“As the community started reaching out with not only the teddy bears but offers of food and fun experiences for kids, and donations of money so we can acquire the things we needed, it really helped ground us in the goodness that was surrounding us because it felt like everybody needed a hug,” she said. “And the community was giving us one, our kids one.”