If you have a chance to look through the window of Family and Consumer Science Teacher Holly Borthwick’s classroom, you will see a group of students cutting patterns in the shape of teddy bears.

These teddy bears have become a symbol of both hope and awareness to those in Salisbury in need of comfort and support.

The fun and colorful bears are donated to the township’s first responders and the purple bears are sold to raise awareness about domestic abuse and unhealthy relationships.

“October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and obviously Turning Point is a women’s shelter. So, by donating there, we are helping people who are victims of domestic abuse. They would benefit the most from the money that we have donated. And that’s why primarily most of the scrunchies that we made and sold were purple. That’s the color for raising awareness,” Sewing for Charity member Cameron Kubinsky told The Press during one of the group’s first meetings of this school year.

It was nearly a year ago when this SHS group of students presented $600 to Turning Point.

Over the summer, their classroom was equipped with new sewing machines resulting from a grant, Title IV Student Support and Enrichment, which Assistant Superintendent Kelly Pauling applied for and was awarded.

Superintendent Lynn Fuini-Hetten told The Press how proud she is “these learners collaborate effectively with our adults to find a cause that is important to them and complete service to make a difference.”

The Press was invited to visit this year’s students participating in Sewing for Charity, as they planned out this year’s schedule.

Seeing there are so many new students who need to learn the basic skills of sewing, a decision was made to scrap October’s fundraiser to raise awareness on domestic abuse and unhealthy relationships.

Kubinsky took the lead in the discussion with his classmates on which projects can be achieved this year.

“In the past, we have made teddy bears and donated them to the Salisbury Police Department in the event they arrive, or even other first responders, to a situation where there is a child. Maybe we could do a little pillow and a little teddy bear they can have so they can be comfortable in the event they are in a difficult situation.”

“They are called comfort bears,” club adviser Borthwick explained. “And they are for small children they encounter.”

It was agreed this will become their long-term project.

Police Chief Donald Sabo told The Press, “The sewing club has indeed donated items in the past. It has been several years, but I am glad to see the club donating bears again. The previous bears were placed inside patrol vehicles and also at the police station to distribute when a traumatic event occurred in the lives of children. From car accidents, acts of violence, death and fires we gave many bears out that offered comfort in a time of need. It is a nice token to give something that was made by the hands of our students to these trauma victims. It often are the “little” things remembered in times of need, and this program certainly offers “big” rewards.

“The students may not know it at the time, but their thought, compassion and generosity certainly follows these bears once they come out of the plastic bags and into the hands of a child,” Sabo said. “On occasion injured dogs have also been given one to keep them occupied until they can be given aid or taken for care. It is great to see students supporting the police department and the community we serve. We will certainly continue to put these items to good use and distribute when a child needs extra support and caring during times of tragedy. It may be that one thing that brightens their day.”

The students’ first fundraiser will be in February 2024 around Valentine’s Day. Their message will be tied to raising awareness about unhealthy relationships.

Turning Point’s Braley Veras told The Press how important their work in raising awareness is.

“Relationships should feel safe, they should be respectful and open and they should look balanced at all times.”

Part of the profits from the teddy bears will be given to district Social Worker Jill Williams to help students in the district. Funds will also be used to purchase fun and colorful material for the comfort bears. The plan is to present those to School Resource Officer Richard Nothstein in May 2024.

It is important to these students their work with both causes help members of the Salisbury community.

For Meredith Kelley, who is new to the club, “It’s cool that we get to do something very fun and interesting like sewing and very useful as well. We also get to donate the proceeds of what we do to meaningful organizations.”

If you would like to help or donate material for either teddy bear project, contact Holly Borthwick at hborthwick@salisburysd.org.

Turning Point offers confidential resources to individuals and families. If you need help for a domestic situation, reach out to the 24/7 helpline at 610-437-3369.