BY MILES LAYTON
Edenton Police Chief David LaFon suggested this story – glad he did.
Cristopher Reynolds, 14, gives teddy bears that he has made to kids who have experienced some bad stuff, perhaps witnessing domestic violence or other traumatic events. During patrols, police have bears to give to kids who may need the warm thoughts these bears inspire.
“I’m doing this to raise awareness that the holidays aren’t always happy for everybody and that, you know, a lot of domestic violence calls come in this time of year and just to also hopefully get somebody to do this in their own community,” said Reynolds, a freshman at Lawrence Academy who lives just outside Tyner.
Reynolds’ mother added, “He put a lot of his own time into doing it. We’re very proud because he’s got a big heart. You know, we do projects as a family all the time like this. I mean, he just did care packages – led his school doing care packages for the troops for Packs for Patriots.”
Reynolds, a talented baseball player, used his free time to hand decorate 48 bears with a message: “If you need a hug, I’m always there. I’m your new pal, Super Bear.”
He purchased the bears from Amazon and created their special look — hand-cutting each bear’s cape and placing a ribbon around each bear.
“I had also been thinking about it for a long time, and I said, ‘Hey, now’s the perfect time to do it. And especially with the incoming of the new chief, it’s a perfect opportunity,’” he said of partnering with the Edenton Police Department. “I mean, it just feels good to know you’re hopefully doing something good in the community.”
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