The I Need a Hug program, sponsored by the United Way Regional Volunteer Center and the Valpo Softball Team, provides new, stuffed animals to elementary schools throughout NWI that are used in 124 classrooms as Reading Buddies and by school counselors as counseling tools for children in crisis.
Over 6,000 new stuffed animals are needed to make sure every child has a buddy to read aloud to each day so we rely on businesses, churches, school groups, etc. to host a drive to help us reach our goal. This month Kauffman Chiropractic hosted a drive at their office in Winfield asking patients and staff to contribute a new small stuffed animal and collected 91 stuffed animals! This is an amazing example that regardless of the size of your company or group, you can make a difference in your community and LIVE UNITED!
If your business, church, or organization would like to LIVE UNITED by hosting a drive for the I Need a Hug program please contact Chris in Lake County at (219) 923-2302 ext.311 or Mackenna in Porter County at (219) 464-3583. A toolbox will be provided to help make your drive successful.