Approximately five hundred stuffed animals will be collected for the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office to provide comfort to children who are present when law enforcement responds to a crisis. These stuffed animals will bring joy and a welcome distraction to children who are experiencing trauma.

Video/Photo Opportunities

Sunday, January 26, 2025, 11:30 a.m.
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 11565 66th Avenue North, Seminole
Teddy Bears will be dropped off at the church before Sunday worship service (the Mass). Pinellas Sheriff’s deputies will be there to receive a blessing from a priest and to receive the Teddy Bear donations.

Visuals/Elements:

11:00 a.m. – 12 noon Families arrive at Mass with new and gently used teddy bears and other stuffed animals to donate. Then, Blessed Sacrament Catholic School volunteers and the Student Council count and sort stuffed animals and load them into the vehicles for the deputies to take back to the Sheriff’s Office.

12:15 p.m. Sheriff’s deputies will receive donated teddy bears and receive a blessing at the end of Mass.

Additional Information:

Blessed Sacrament Church and School have been organizing a teddy bear collection for eight years and they normally collect over 500 stuffed animals.

“Now, more than ever, our ability to come together to help those who need support is a blessing and a gift that is a cornerstone of who we are as Catholics, living out the Gospel,” said Becky Clark, principal, of Blessed Sacrament Catholic School. 

January 26th is the beginning of Catholic Schools Week. The theme is “Faith. Excellence. Service.” Catholic schools have a specific purpose to form students to be good citizens of the world, love God and neighbor, and enrich society by their example of faith.