Friends Comforting Friends partners with Ti Police

TICONDEROGA | More often than not, an emotionally upset child needs a hug. They need a pair of trusting arms to envelop them into a safe cocoon if only to feel security for a few fleeting moments- a warm embrace can often be a port in a storm. The power a hug holds is perhaps one of the most needed things at the scene when a law enforcement officer responds to a call. This is why Friends Comforting Friends (FCF) has partnered with the Ticonderoga Police Department to introduce their new program, "Hugs in a Bag." "Every bag will be filled with a blanket, a stuffed animal, a coloring book, crayons, card games, and activity books," revealed Julia Steele Trombley, FCF Operations Manager (and perhaps best known as the FCF "Bag Lady"). All the bags were sewn by hand with 100 percent cotton fabric, making them extra special. There will always be a ready-made supply of 10 more bags for officers to grab once the two in the cruisers find their little owners. Each of the five police cruisers will carry a "boy" bag and a "girl" bag onboard, ready to be distributed to children they encounter when on calls- one can imagine many officers see some pretty sad and tragic sights in their line of work, be it domestic violence or automobile accidents- and when a child looks to be in need of a "hug," the officers will be able to gift them with a bag, the intention to lift their spirits and bring some sunshine into an otherwise gray memory. "We were completely out of kids' blankets," Trombley explained of the inspiration behind the good-hearted idea "After we posted on Facebook that we needed some, in one week's time we had 87 kids' blankets. We would never, thank goodness, use that many in quite a few years. Nancy Quesnel had mentioned when her husband, Dale, was a police officer here, she used to keep a shelf of toys for kids at the police station. I talked it over with my mother, ran it past the Board of Directors, and they liked it." The "Hugs in a Bag" program will be a permanent, year-round addition to the FCF lineup. The idea will complement FCF's already existing work within the community. The idea for Friends Comforting Friends was born in 2011 after founder Wendy Shaw faced a cancer diagnosis and was forced to travel down the winding road to battle the disease. Shaw was victorious, and also emerged with a profound appreciation for community and neighbors, and the triumph of the human spirit thanks to friendship. She has been paying it forward ever since, and alongside the dedicated FCF members, has distributed the locally famous FCF comfort care bags to those face medical challenges of all types. Filled with gas cards, comfort care bags, and other thoughtful items tucked lovingly into them, these bags are a symbolic reminder that the community's thoughts, prayers, and support are quietly in the background. "It's really a community project," Trombley remarked. "Every item in there is donated from a different person. Taking those items out of the bag, it's an amazing feeling to think 20 people have touched your life. I am most proud of the smiles are put on people's faces, 100 percent." And now Ticonderoga's youngest residents will also have their life touched with a hug in a bag. "This day and age a lot of kids are afraid of police officers in part because of the way parents talk about them," Trombley noted. "We hope this will help change attitudes and perceptions. Our intention is to put a smile on a child's face, and hopefully when they wrap the blanket around themselves, they will feel a hug." Trombley was adamant that without town residents consistently stepping up to the plate with donations, FCF would not be able to do the good work they do. "Whenever we issue a call for help or donations on our FCF Facebook page, the very next day it is already on my porch," Trombley expressed. "That's how amazing our community is. We are already seeing an outpouring of generosity for "Hugs in a Bag." Currently an army of bags have been lovingly stitched and packed and are ready to make their journeys all over Ticonderoga. Steele said that when the supply runs low, FCF will let the community know on their Facebook and issue a call for donations. Until then, monetary donations are always encouraged, FCF running full-steam all the year through. "I really feel FCF has brought our community and surrounding communities together to help others," noted Shaw. "Life is tough sometimes and when people see that others are in need, they reach out to help in any way they can." Checks may be made payable to Friends Comforting Friends, P.O. Box 84, Ticonderoga, NY, 12883. Follow the organization on Facebook at www.facebook.com/friendscomfortingfriends.

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Friends Comforting Friends partners with Ti Police

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