*Note: This story was first published February 2020.
MILWAUKEE (SPECTRUM NEWS)— USO Wisconsin creates teddy bears out of uniforms for military kids.
A military uniform is easily identified, but what if those uniforms were turned into something else? What if they were turned into something to remember those solider by?
Well, that’s exactly what USO Wisconsin is doing. They are taking bags full of old uniforms and putting them to good use.
A team of around 20 volunteers are ripping apart old uniforms to make something new, something special.
“This is just another connection where the kid gets to keep connected with their parent even though they are gone for three, nine months, or even more,” USO Wisconsin Executive Director, Josh Sova said.
They are making teddy bears for kids whose parents are being deployed.
“I’m sure its heart wrenching to pay goodbye to a parent for however long. I’m sure if they are deploying they aren’t sure where they are going and when they are coming back. I’m sure it’s very traumatic,” Volunteer, Carla Lonski said.
One volunteer, Amber Methum, knows all too well what it’s like to be a child whose parent is being deployed.
“I was in a military home. My father was in the army and was station in Korea for a year and I can just imagine being the child who would have loved to receive one,” Volunteer, Amber Methum said.
So, as these women take apart each stitch they say they are thinking of the families and children who will hold these bears in comfort.
“While you can’t replace a parent who is overseas or gone my hope is that it will be something that will comfort them in that time,” Methum said.
The bears have a patch of Velcro on their stomachs that will hold either their parents name or branch. This allows a more personal connection to each bear. It gives the kids a chance to keep their parents nice and close, even if they are far away.
The bears cost around one dollar to make. USO Wisconsin says they are in need of more uniforms from all branches of military to make more bears for an upcoming deployment.
For more information on how to donate a uniform, click HERE.
