The Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) and the Fatherhood Program are collecting teddy bears and other stuffed animals for children as part of their “Bearable Hugs for Georgia’s Children” campaign. The toys will be given to children receiving care at pediatric facilities throughout Georgia, women’s shelters, law enforcement agencies and other children’s organizations.

“Our mission at Child Support is to put children first,” said Lynda Samples, manager of the Toombs Judicial Circuit Child Support Office. We are happy to be working with David Harris, Manager of the Fatherhood Program, in this joint effort. “We hope the teddy bears will bring comfort and put a smile on the face of a child who may be facing illness, domestic upheaval or some other uncertainty,: said Harris.

Individuals, churches, businesses and other organizations may participate in the “Bearable Hugs for Georgia’s Children” campaign by dropping off donations of teddy bears and other stuffed animals at the child support office located at 110 East Hall Street in Thomson. The stuffed animals will be distributed on February 11 and 12, 2010.

Last year over 4,000 stuffed animals were collected which benefited children served by 82 different organizations around the state.

The Division of Child Support Services helps Georgia’s children by enforcing the parental responsibility to financially support children. The Fatherhood Program serves non- custodial parents who are unable to pay their child support by helping them find employment and other services that promote self-sufficiency so they can support their children.

For more information about the Division of Child Support Services or the Fatherhood Program, go to www.ocse.dhr.georgia.gov.

For local information, contact the Toombs Judicial Circuit Department of Child Support Services at 706-597-9825 or Barbara Burns at bsburns@dhr.state.ga.us.