KAWARTHA LAKES-As a Volunteer Firefighter with Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue, Rob Jardine was a part of a training session at Station 22 Fenelon Falls where the benefits of having comfort or trauma teddies available for children who have experienced a tragic emergency were discussed.
He says at the time of the training session, the station did have a few stuffed animals that had been donated over the years but they were not in the best shape.
“Through my time as a Volunteer Firefighter, I’ve responded to many emergency incidents where children have been involved and I know first-hand that holding a teddy bear can help provide kids in stressful or traumatic situations with a sense of comfort and security,” said Jardine.
Jardine and his wife Monica own Jardine Funeral home in Fenelon Falls. In collaboration with Life Expression, one of their funeral home suppliers, they donated twelve licensed Gund Teddy Bears to Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue to help to comfort children who have been involved in a fire or other emergencies.
Station 12 Cameron, Station 19 Coboconk, Station 20 Burnt River, and Station 22 Fenelon Falls all received three bears each.
The Gund Teddy Bears have the Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue logo on their paws and they will be used to help bring comfort to children who have been involved in traumatic experiences.
