THAT’S THE STUFF: ACU raises more than $2,500 for ‘Buddy Bear’ program

After matching private donations in a month-long fundraising campaign for the Newton Police Department, Advantage Credit Union announced Aug. 7 more than $2,500 was raised for the police station’s “Buddy Bear” program.

Advantage Credit Union presented the police department with a $2,595.21 check, a photo of which was posted on the company’s Facebook page. Advantage Credit Union surpassed its personal goal of $2,500, which would pay for about 300-500 bears.

“Thank you not only for helping the Newton Police Department, but helping children who are in need of comfort in difficult times,” the company said.

Julie Britton, community engagement officer of the Newton Police Department, told Newton News at the start of fundraising campaign in July that Buddy Bears are given to kids during traumatic incidents like car accidents, domestic calls or fires to help comfort them.

“So any time a traumatic incident occurs it’s a time we can hand out a Buddy Bear, comfort them, make it a little bit easier on them to deal with it,” Britton said. “As adults it does seem like a small gesture, but for a kid getting that stuffed animal could be huge for them … They remember that.”

Advantage Credit Union has organized similar community donation campaigns in the past. In 2019, the credit union collected $4,414 for the Jasper County RIDE program. Both Advantage Credit Union and the City of Newton matched $1,000 each, the remainder of which were private donations.

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com