For years the Garland Police Department has sent teddy bears with officers to give to young children who may have had their parents arrested or are witnesses to a crime.
But earlier this year the department ran out of teddy bears and did not have money budgeted to purchase new ones.
When the Casa View Baptist Church in Garland found out they launched a bear drive, ultimately collecting over 1,000 bears.
"Our church got behind it and good gracious they started going to every store they could find to get bears at a decent price," Senior Pastor Karl Tingle said.
The Garland Police Department said the bears are an invaluable tool when comes to helping children and reaching out to the community.
“When I can comfort a child and let them know everything is going to be alright it brings nothing but satisfaction in my heart,” Officer Alberto Irizarry said.
