YGC Collects Donations For Teddy Bear Project

Check your closets, shelves and attics for those gently used stuffed animals that are searching for a new child to love. The Scott County Youth Grantmaking Council (“YGC”) is collecting the animals for their “Teddy Bear Project” community service project.

“As my sons get older and give up their ‘babies,’ I have collected a huge bag full of barely touched stuffed animals,” said Scott County Community Foundation Executive Director Jaime Toppe. “I thought others might have unused stuff animals as well. It will be nice for other kids to have something to cuddle through this project.”

Through a collaboration with the Scott Memorial Hospital, sick children and newborns will receive a donated stuffed animal.

“Scott Memorial Hospital is proud to partner with the Scott County Youth Grantmaking Council to help bring smiles to young faces in Scott County,” said Scott Memorial Hospital Staff Educator Karrie Gricius.

There are about 175 to 200 newborns born at the hospital each year, and about 100 sick children are cared for each year.

The YGC, a program of the Scott County Community Foundation, is a group of students who learn about leadership and philanthropy. Their community service committee was expanded this past school year to include any youth in the community who wanted to participate in community service projects each month. Past projects include stocking shelves at the Clearinghouse, shopping for presents for the angel tree at Christmas, ringing bells for the Salvation Army/Clearinghouse, volunteering at the Kids First auction, participating in Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Bowl for Kids Sake, cleaning the Scott County Heritage Center and Museum and pulling weeds at Lake Iola for United Way of Scott County’s Day of Caring.

If you have any new or gently used stuffed animals that you would like to donate to this project, please bring to the Scott County Community Foundation office, 60 N. Main St., Scottsburg, or give to any student serving with the YGC. Those youth include Carmen Boley, Brandon Boswell, Lindsey Boswell, Sera Craig, Domonique Dobson, Justice Gabbard, Kayla Griffen, Braden Hale, Koby Hawkins, Evan Howser, Lauren Howser, Ally Ingalls, Kevin Jentzen, Sidney McDonald, Kaleb Mount, Haley Mullins, Joey Payne, Caity Rice, Jordan Shuler, Cody Smith, Braxton Soloe, Hunter Steinkamp, Keeli Stewart, Jerel Taylor, Luke Taylor, Isaiah Turner, Caleb White and Tyler White.

If you have any questions or want more information on the Scott County Youth Grantmaking Council, call 752-2057, email info@scottcountyfoundation.org, visit the website at www.scottcountyfoundation.org/youthcouncil.htm or www.facebook.com/ScottCountyYGC.