Kritters for Kids
Key Benefits
Kritters for Kids is in reality two distinct and separate projects. The first is a distribution of teddy bears to kids in local hospitals. This is done on a rotational basis. The second is a distribution of stuffed animals to the Wichita Children's Home. Both of these projects are done annually; teddies are taken to patients in the spring, and stuffed animals are presented to the Children's Home just prior to Christmas. Teddy Bears to the Hospital started as an idea from Optimist International, and was of benefit to the Optimist International Foundation. Buy a bear, tiger or koala from Optimist International and then donate it to a youngster to show you care. One year, due to a shortage of local club funds, we bought bears in lots of ten. Our Club Secretary made t-shirts for the bears and suggested we take them to the children's ward at a local hospital. We have continued this tradition to date. Those little faces really light up! The Children's Home project is a group effort with individual club members donating stuffed animals. Stuffed animals brought to and collected at our annual Christmas Party are taken to the Wichita Children's Home by some of our members. These delight children who may have had a very disappointing Christmas.