A very special thank you from the Hollingworth Family

As Craig and I read the email sent by Nora Mullen we were moved to tears by the generosity of so many people and the thought of hundreds of children receiving a special bear in Courtney's name.

Courtney has a huge, huge heart for young children. For a person who is often inpatient with adults she is exceedingly patient with children. While babysitting, for the Laffey's for instance, it doesn't phase her at all if the baby is crying, the toddlers are running around screaming and Sarah Grace or Sam are speaking to her all at one time.

As her mother, and someone who consciously stopped at 2 children, I am in awe of this trait. No doubt she takes after my own mother who had 7 children.

Someday when Courtney can fully appreciate these acts of love and kindness in her name she will also be moved to tears of joy and appreciation.

Thank you to all of you and especially to Nora Mullen who came up with this idea and did virtually all the work. God Bless You!

Results of the Teddy Bear Drive

Today was a busy day distributing Courtney Bears! If my math is right, we handled a total of 353 bears! Thanks to all of you who helped. A brief summary of where the bears went: 80 to Hasbro Hospital, 20 to Project Link (a program affiliated with Women & Infants Hospital), 50 to Kent Hospital, 10 to RI Family Shelter, 40 to Bradley Hospital, 70 to Smith Hill Daycare Center, 16 to Ronald McDonald House, 20 to Roger Williams Hospital Oncology Center, 20 to the Urban League, 23 to The Providence Center School, and 4 to Trinity Church-Pawtuxet for the Adopt-A-Family program. Every place was so appreciative. For example, The Providence Center School had not received their usual donations this year and now will have something for their little ones. At Kent Hospital, the Rev. Higbie was very moved by Courtney's story and said she has something very special in mind for these bears. (Hopefully, we'll hear more about that, but even if we don't, just from seeing her face, no doubt she does have a special plan.)

The 353 bears were collected from the following locations:

Cranston East- 83
La Salle - 105
Cranston Johnston Catholic Regional - 70
Paychex- 29
Mass Electric - 47
South Kingstown Recreation Dept - 13
Individuals who gave them to me - 6

Thanks to everyone!

Nora

Note from Mom

We expect many many teddy bears as a result of this drive. Thank you to Nora Mullen for such a beautiful idea. Please know that we have identified several hospitals and a day care where Courtney volunteered while at LSA to donate the bears to.

Every bear will have a home!

How to Get Involved

Every person has one stuffed animal that they cherish. For Courtney it's Courtney Bear.

Thanks to Nora Mullen for thinking of and pushing forward with this beautiful idea. There will be a collection of teddy bears for children at Hasbro Children's Hospital. To get involved you can contact Nora by sending an email to vze36ccs@verizon.net

Any teddy bear is fine. Please, new teddy bears only. (Hasbro only will accept new bears for the children.)

Last day for collections will be December 19th.

To donate stuffed animals please drop of at the following locations:

Cranston East (main office)
899 Park Avenue Cranston, RI 02910
Phone: (401) 270 - 8126

Paychex Inc
501 Wampanog Trail, East Providence, RI (Mon-Fri 8-5)

La Salle Academy
612 Academy Ave, Providence, RI 02908
(401) 351-7750

Cranston-Johnston Catholic Regional School
43 Poplar Drive
Cranston, RI 02910