California Police Chief- Fall 2013 CPCA_2017_Winter Magazine Final | Page 25

even to adults, in a way the children will see as fun. By the individual departments that participate. While our stress on the kids before they endure the stress of a surgical bears to sick and injured children and providing other using the cars instead of gurneys, the hope is to ease the procedure. In 2016, coloring books that are branded for the Teddy Bear Drive began to be distributed to kids. Gaming carts equipped with electronic gaming consoles for use by the kids have also been funded through the efforts of law enforcement and the Teddy Bear Drive. Also provided are Night-Night carts that are pushed through a couple of the floors with Chapstick, ear plugs, coffee and tea for the families, some books to read and coloring books. To support families whose child passed away at the hospital, bereavement memory boxes are supplied and weighted bears, similar in weight to that of a child are also available to assist in the grieving process. The Teddy Bear Drive funds these supplies that are managed by bereavement counselors at the hospital. profession is struggling with its public image, delivering resources helps to humanizes law enforcement officers. We are human beings; members of the community and we do more than write citations and arrest people. We are also involved in our communities in a variety of ways. These types of programs generate great public interest and collaboration. Officer Brian Hardy’s (ret.) long term vision continues to be the expansion of the Teddy Bear Drive concept to other regions that have hospitals that cater primarily to children, especially children with long term medical struggles. For more information about the San Diego Regional Teddy Bear Drive, please contact Chief Jon Froomin 619-522-7355 or [email protected].  ■ The annual drive to collect new stuffed animals for the patients involves officers engaging local businesses to display collection bins. Local radio and television stations provide advertising for collection events and collect donations from within their organization. In some communities, competitions are organized in local schools and the winning class get a free meal from a sponsoring Providing Practical Legal Solutions to California’s Public Agencies for Over 35 Years restaurant. In San Diego County, Chick-Fil-A supplies those class parties. Although there are a couple of corporate tie-ins with the Teddy Bear Drive, they are low-key. Chick-fil-A Restaurant locations throughout San Diego Country assist by accepting donated bears and rewarding donors with a free meal. The Teddy Bear Drive has developed a relationship with the San Diego Gulls Hockey Team, which has an interesting component to it. During a home game, fans can participate in a Teddy Bear Toss. Typically, this occurs after the home team scores their first goal. Fans are then encouraged to throw their stuffed animals (in plastics bags) on to the ice. The players, staff and law enforcement collect the bears for delivery to patients. This and other community outreach events are of importance to law enforcement as a profession and to Experience | Integrity | Results  POBR  Employment Litigation  Labor Relations  Writs & Appeals  Investigations  Employee Retirement Law  Discipline/Dismissals  Wage & Hour/FLSA  Collective Bargaining/Negotiations  Seminars & Training Jay G. Trinnaman Partner Office 562.653.3200 Direct 562.653.3497 [email protected] A Leading California Law Firm Alfonso Estrada Partner Office 626.583.8600 Direct 626.773.7665 [email protected] www.aalrr.com Cerritos | Fresno | Irvine | Marin | Pasadena Pleasanton | Riverside | Sacramento | San Diego WINTER 2017 | California Police Chief 25