Stitch by stitch, a group of ladies at Fellowship Square in Mesa slowly brings donated material to life.
"I think this was somebody's house coat," said Lois Meyer who volunteers at the retirement center. "The woman who donated it is 96-years-old."
The bears might come in all different patterns but every single bear will be donated to the Mesa Police Department. Officers who come into contact with children will be able to give away a stuffed animal.
"It gives them a more positive view of a police officer," said Patty Gallagher with Mesa police. "It helps them to know that police officers are their friends and they shouldn't be afraid of them."
Gallagher says officers hand the bears out on a variety of calls from traffic stops to domestic violence. The group has donated more than 100 bears so far.
The ladies hope they'll give a smile and a little comfort to kids who might just need to hold on tight. The group says they're in need of some supplies like scissors capable of cutting material and needles large enough to thread yarn.
For more information on how to donate, click HERE.
