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When the members of the 951st Sapper Company of Rhinelander and Tomahawk leave for Camp Shelby in Hattiesburg, Miss. at the end of the end of the month, they’ll have the warmth of home with them, and their families will still hear their voices.

Representatives from MyHuggy and Camp Birchrock were at the armory in Rhinelander Saturday to present the troops with a patchwork quilt made of 130 squares depicting military scenes and about 80 teddy bears containing recording devices so the departing soldiers can share stories and messages with their families the whole time they’re gone.

Camp Birchrock Director Jeremy Fadoul said all the kids that came through the camp over the summer made 6-inch by 6-inch fabric squares depicting military scenes. At the end of the summer, members of the camp’s board of directors sewed the bulk of the squares together and made a large quilt for the troops, which they’ll take with them to Camp Shelby, and eventually, to Afghanistan.

Fadoul said camp counselors explained the project and its significance to the campers, and they were all excited to take part.

“Some of the squares on that quilt are amazing, and the kids put a lot of effort into it,” Fadoul said. “For me, I remember what it was like when my Father got deployed in Desert Storm. I’m going to make sure these kids don’t have that helpless feeling. The kids from Camp Birchrock can say they helped support our troops.”

The teddy bears won’t be going to Afghanistan. Instead, they’ll stay with the families of the departing troops so that their voices can always be heard.

Steve Cotcher, CEO of MyHuggy, knows firsthand the significance the teddy bears can have and is trying to get as many bears to departing troops as possible. When Cotcher was deployed in the Marine Corps, he left behind his young wife and two-year-old son. “I was a Marine. When I came home from deployment my son didn’t know me,” said Cotcher. “My Mother and I came up with this concept.” He vowed that no one else would experience the pain he did if he could help it.

MyHuggy teddy bears have 20-minute recording devices in them, so the troops can say whatever they want to say to their families, who will never be without their voices.

“When you’re not around, your kid can hug the bear and feel like you’re there,” Cotcher said. “They can close their eyes and hear your voice. They don’t understand why we have to leave.”

Cotcher has been giving away bears for a little over a year now. To date, almost 7,000 bears have been given to departing troops. Saturday was different, however, as it marked the first time the give-away was sponsored. Wisconsin Physicians Services and the Teamsters Joint Council sponsored the bears given to the Sapper Company, and Cotcher is hoping the sponsorship catches on so more people can benefit.

Cotcher said the troops are always amazed at the effort to bring comfort to their families. “I guess it kind of blows them away that people appreciate their families,” he said.

Spc. Doug Alderton of Rhinelander and his daughter Alexis were there to receive a bear, “It means a lot to me. To have to go away for such a long time. Something like this is helpful, to hear my voice.”

Karen Spurgeon is the Family Readiness Group Volunteer for the Wisconsin National Guard Family Program, “I run the 951st Family Program. It warms my heart to find groups willing to sponsor bears for those going to Afghanistan. The fact that someone will do this for our soldiers.”

A sendoff ceremony for the soldiers of the 951st, who will be involved in clearing obstacles and providing other engineering support services, will be held at Rhinelander High School on Sunday, Nov. 30 at 11 a.m.

Anyone interested in donating money to get more bears to soldiers and their families can call (615) 688-4454 or mail donations to MyHuggy/Bear Drop, 201 Main St., Lafayette, TN 37083.

“If people would donate just the cost of a cup of coffee it would help tremendously,” Cotcher said.

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Tara Gremban wrote on Nov 17, 2008 3:01 PM:

" My niece was the little Alexis in the story who received a bear. By the time she got in the car she had already named it and has plans to put a shirt on it with her dad's picture. A Huge "Thank You" to the MyHuggy company for their generosity. It means the world to all of us that fellow Americans are supporing our troops anyway they can! Thanks to all of our troops for their service and to their families for their sacrifices! "

Bill wrote on Nov 17, 2008 11:34 AM:

" Great story. I am glad to see people helping our troops. And the teddy bear what a great idea. I bet the kids loved them as well as the parents. To our soldiers thank you for your service to this great country of ours. It is because of you we have the rights and freedom we do. And it is you that keeps them for us.

God Bless

Bill "

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