Bear Hugs To The Troops

LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Many 11-year olds have worries of their own just getting through middle school, but Faith Killian-Fassnacht has more on her mind than just schoolwork and sports. A little more than one year ago, Fassnacht started a program called "Bear Hugs to the Troops," also known as "Operation Teddy Bear."

She has already collected and sent more than 2,400 bears to soldiers in Iraq, Afganistan, and Germany.

Thanks to a donation from Kodak, Faith was also recently able to send 30 disposable cameras along with her bears. Some soldiers have sent pictures back which really show the impact her program is making.

"One of the pictures that we have of the soldiers is giving the child a bear and he's crying in the picture," Faith said. "These people don't get a lot of stuff and it makes me feel happy and also kind of sad that some people cry."

She has also received letters from troops, thanking her for the program. For soldiers who have been overseas for a long time, having a touch of home and knowing that people care really means a lot.

If you would like to donate to "Bear Hugs to the Troops," drop off small-to-medium sized new or gently used teddy bears at one of these "Bear Drop" locations, or contact Killian-Fassnacht via her website:

Kenny's Shoe Shop, 2100 Main Street in Lafayette.
The Carpenter's Son, 1165 S Creasy Lane
Purdue Science Department, Harrison Street in West Lafayette.