Over 600 Stuffed Animals Collected to Help Provide Comfort to Children

SANTA FE – At the end of September the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) Ports of Entry Division, New Mexico State Police and New Mexico Taxation & Revenue teamed up to kick off a month-long collection of stuffed animals to benefit the children of New Mexico. Over the last four weeks over 600 stuffed animals have been collected. This program was started to collect bears for police departments across the state, locations that collected stuffed animals will distribute them to the nearest law enforcement office to be when responding to domestic violence calls that involve children,giving comfort to a child in a negative situation.

“I have seen firsthand the benefit of a police officer handing a scared child a stuffed animal, I would like to be a part of putting a smile on a child’s face at the scariest of times.  Together we can make change.” states Teresa Valdez of NMDOT Ports & Entry Division Training and Development Manager.

Thank you to all New Mexicans that donated a new small to medium stuffed animal. This would not have been possible without your generosity.