STURGIS, S.D.—FCCLA Members organized a teddy bear toss and wellness bags to help their community. Juniors Nellie Wetsit, Paige Gorczewski and Zara Wallace (11) hosted the events during the months of January and February 2024.
Wallace said they “wanted to help people throughout the community,” so for their first project they focused on children in crisis situations.
Dropping off bears collected at their January teddy bear toss on February 28 at The Cornerstone Mission, FCCLA members share a moment. Pictured were Paige Gorczewski (11), Zara Wallace (11), a Cornerstone Rescue employee and Nellie Wetsit (11). photo by Mission employee
Teddy bears are often considered to be comforting, which is why students chose them to help women and children in the Black Hills community.
The teddy bear toss took place in SBHS’ West Gym on January 19.
“One challenge we had was “What if people forget to bring teddy bears?” To overcome this challenge we set up a booth with many different sizes of teddy bears that people could purchase if they forgot to bring one. We ended up receiving 107 teddy bears.”
In addition to selling stuffed toy bears at the event, FCCLA members crafted posters, flyers, announcements and social media posts to promote the cause and toss.
Continuing their focus, helping children, they added items to the their February project: wellness bags created for children involved in domestic cases.
On April 10, Paige Gorczewski (11), Zara Wallace (11), Officer Tanner Weaver, Deputy Gary Rogers and Nellie Wetsit (11) deliver wellness bags created for children involved in domestic cases to the Sturgis Police Department. photo by police station receptionist
“We made 20 bags with extra teddy bears and fidget toys for children in domestic cases,” Wallace said.
Teddy bears were dropped off at the Cornerstone Mission Women and Children’s shelter on February 28. Wellness bags were delivered to the Sturgis Police Department on April 10.
To learn ways to help, contact local organizations, including The Cornerstone Mission.
