Residents, staff make comfort toys for children

Staff reports

CANAAN — At a time when nursing home residents and staff are extremely concerned about the COVID-19 virus crisis, residents at Geer Nursing & Rehabilitation Center are thinking about those less fortunate than themselves.

Karen Hawley, a member of the Resident Council, and Alyssa Dungan, a recreation assistant, created a project for the residents, to help at risk children. “Sometimes families and their children find themselves in contact with law enforcement at Troop B in North Canaan. The children especially, can be scared and in need of comfort at a very difficult time,” Hawley and Dungan said.

Dungan’s father, Roy Dungan, is a State Trooper. She said she was brought up to understand the care needed when a child is brought into a difficult situation.

Hawley said she is always concerned with those less fortunate, and often looks for projects that the residents can do for others.

Together the Geer Nursing Resident Council and the Recreation staff funded and conducted a teddy bear stuffing project. Hawley asked the Resident Council to authorize the funds to purchase the supplies, and the recreation staff worked with residents on the project to stuff and dress the bears for the children.

Troop B now has a supply of stuffed teddy bears for children during stressful situations, to provide them with some comfort during a difficult time.

“We are so appreciative of the teddy bears from Geer Nursing & Rehabilitation residents. Troopers often carry teddy bears to give out to children that we encounter at a crime scene or traumatic event,” Roy Dungan said.

Contributed photo Together the Geer Nursing Resident Council and the Recreation staff funded and conducted a teddy bear stuffing project. The toys will be given to at-risk children.