DIVIDE, CO — The residents of the mountain community of Divide, CO, have purchased more than 160 teddy bears from their Post Office as a gift to the Teller County Sheriff’s office. The local law enforcement agency uses the bears as a tool to comfort children who are present at crime or accident scenes.

The Sheriff’s office will pick up the bears from the Post Office, located at 66 Hybrook Rd. South in Divide on Tuesday, October 7 at 1 P.M.

Teller County Sheriff’s Commander Jason Mikesell and his officers use the bears to calm fears. “It builds trust with them. It’s easier for us to deal with them and it gives them something they can hold onto,” said Commander Mikesell.

According to Divide Postmaster Monica Deluca, the community donated 30 percent more bears than the previous year.

“We know the sheriffs’ department is out there trying to do their job and work with children in negative times,” said Postmaster Deluca. “Something as simple as a bear just seems to make a big difference in a child’s life.  Because everybody loves bears. Everybody loves kids. And we’re just trying to figure out a way to put it all together.”

“This allows us through our community to help us,” said Commander Mikesell. “When you hand a bear to a child you see that light go on in their eyes, that that spark of hope in something else other than the stressful situation in that moment. And it’s a beautiful thing.”

Julie Tipton is one of the Divide customers who bought a bear and signed the attached card. “I wanted the person receiving the bear to know that we care for them and that it came from a real person. And that there really is someone out there that cares.”

The bears are available at Post Offices nationwide.

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