Allan Guest of the Medicine Hat Fire Department holds a teddy bear at the Maple Avenue Fire Station on Thursday.--NEWS PHOTO IAN SORENSEN

PEGGY REVELL
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How many teddy bears can be stuffed inside a limo?
Medicine Hat will find out in February as part of the "Give from the heart, give a bear" drive to collect stuffed animals that the city's fire department can give out to children at the scene of fires, accidents and other incidents.
The idea behind the drive comes as a way to both help children in a traumatic situation, as well as show support for local firefighters who are often the first on the scene, explained Nancy Ebel, with A Class Above Limo, who is spearheading the event.
From 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on February 11, a limo from the local business will be located at the Maple Ave Fire Station, ready to collect teddy bears and stuffed animals that are new or in good condition.
"I hope the weather's good, I hope everybody's out and shopping and they drive by and they bring a bear and they just give from the heart," Ebel said.
"If we can make some child feel that much better, that would just make my day," she said.
Deputy Fire Chief, Allan Guest, estimates that the fire department has given out hundreds of teddy bears over the past decade.
"We've found that especially when the kid are upset — and they quite often are — it helps settle them down and gives them some comfort and something to cuddle while they're in the state just after emergency has occurred," he said, noting these emergencies range from fires to motor vehicle accidents and other events where children can be traumatized.
"It just gives them a level of comfort and allows us to build a relationship with them as well," he said, adding that it shows the department isn't just about saving lives, but caring for and having compassion towards citizens.
Part of Ebel's own reason for wanting to organize this event comes from the experience of losing her home 20 years ago in a fire.
"I know how devastating it is to walk away and you don't own anything. You don't even have a toothbrush, all you've got is the clothes on your back, and you wonder how are you ever going to start over?"
"It's got to be even harder on little children, whose favourite teddy bear or blanket is gone."
And the response from the public, fire department and City of Medicine Hat has been bigger than expected, she said, as they come forward to assist in organizing the day.
"I'm just so thankful that everyone is pitching in and helping," she said about the response so far. "It's more than I thought would happen. I just couldn't believe that so many people have already phoned or e-mailed me to ask if they can help me out in anyways."
"I'm just hoping that we can do really good for the kids."