Fifteen year old Colton-Pierrepont student, Ashley McKinley, and her aunt spent their summer making teddy bears and have donated 50 handcrafted bears to foster children in St. Lawrence County. Each bear is unique and come dressed with a colorful cape and a personal note from Ashley saying, “A bear to share - I’d like to share this bear I made with you! We all need a little comfort heading into the fall and school year. I hope you’ll give your bear a name! All the best, Ashley.”
Social Services Foster Care Unit Supervisor Jason Potter, shared the following comments regarding the contribution by Ashley McKinley, “Not only have the handmade bears brought a smile to the faces of the young children in foster care that have received them, they have provided some parents of children in care with an opportunity to provide their child with a surprise gift during a scheduled visitation that they may not have otherwise been able to provide.”