Chris Clegg
About 20-25 years ago I began collecting the tops of Scotties tissues. After collecting three tops and paying a small fee, you could mail it to Scotties near Toronto and get a Scotties Softie Plush puppet doll.
As a child, my sister Donna, loved the toy. She never mailed away for one but for some reason I always remembered how much she loved it. Lucky for me I did!
As an adult, I collected enough tops to buy four of them and happily sent my money to Toronto. Weeks later, my four toys arrived. I gave one away and kept three. Eventually, I had only two.
Later, I caught a virus and ended up in the local hospital. As fate would have it, I was about to be taught a valuable lesson. I was relaxing in my hospital bed when I noticed a little girl, about four or five years old. I saw her several times during the day walking the hallways. To this day, I have never forgotten the sad look on her face. It was heart-breaking to see a little girl so sad. She had visitors but the time she was alone she was lost in this very strange place.
I spoke to the nurses and asked what happened. They told me she was bitten by a dog.
My boss, Mary Burgar, visited me one day. I asked her to go back to the office and bring back one of the Scotties dolls to give to her. I gave it to a nurse and asked her to give it to the little girl.
You cannot imagine the joy that little toy brought her! She hugged that toy for dear life with the brightest smile only a little girl possesses! She carried it up and down the hallways, I am sure everywhere she went. A crowbar could not pry the two apart!
It was truly the best medicine for this little girl! It is precisely why hospitals gratefully accept donations of toys to give to children.
Nov. 28 at the High Prairie Regals game the team is holding a Teddy Bear Toss. People attending the game can bring their own toys or purchase one at the game. After the Regals score their first goal, they will be tossed onto the ice, then collected to be forwarded to the hospital.
I know first-hand what a difference this act of kindness will mean to many children. Unless you directly experience it, I truly believe you cannot honestly imagine what a difference it makes to a child.
I was so motivated by giving this girl a toy I stated saving more tops. I eventually collected enough tops to buy about 30 Scotties toys. I did not mind paying for the toys but I had arranged with a local courier company to pick up the toys and have them delivered for free. I was too cheap to pay the expensive freight bill.
Sadly, Scotties refused.
Today, the toys sell for about $30. I paid about half that years ago.
I was also told local firemen and emergency crews give toys, if available, to children at fires and accident scenes. It gives them great comfort in a time of need.
I do not know what magic exists in a plush toy for a child. I suppose there is a psychological explanation for it but all I know is it works.
Whether or not you attend the Regals game Nov. 28 to support this cause it is up to you. If hockey is not your thing, you can support the club by donating at jars placed around town.
Please take it from me. It truly makes a difference in a child’s life.