Jim Fair
Emerson Dingus, 6, is contributing two of her favorite stuffed animals to the Greer Police Department to share with children so they can have a "Pal" during distressed times.
Jim Fair
Emerson is knee-deep in stuffed animals she collected from family, friends, and her mother's, Barbie, co-workers.
Jim Fair
Lyman Cinderella Tot Emerson Dingus gives a hug to Sgt. Chad Richardson after delivering about 200 stuffed animals to the Greer Police Department on Friday.
Photo submitted
Emerson visited the Greer Fire Department on its 100th anniversary celebration last month.
The 6-year-old Lyman Cinderella Tot visited the Greer police department Friday to deliver 35 bags packed with stuffed animals for one purpose – each will become a “Pal” to a child in distress from a house fire, domestic situations, vehicle accidents or traumatic events where emergency agencies respond.
“I’m doing this in case a little boy or girl gets scared if they are in a fire or accident,” said Emerson.
“You’re Safe” Pals, is a community service project Emerson adopted as a contestant in the Lyman Cinderella Pageant, which promotes inner beauty and responsibility for each other in troubled times.
Police Chief Dan Reynolds, detectives, victims advocates, community outreach and administrators gathered in the conference room where Emerson was knee-deep in the bags of stuffed animals.
“It’s one thing when adults donate money and toys to a cause,” said Reynolds. “When a child donates, it is more meaningful.”
The idea is for the small bags, of at least a half-dozen new or gently used stuffed animals in each, to be stored in first responders’ vehicles to be given to a distressed child, who needs a friend, to hold. Similar projects show a stuffed animal given to a child in distress provides children comfort and a sense of self-worth and stability after a traumatic event.
“I’ve seen first-hand how (stuffed animals) have helped calm the children,” said Barbie Dingus, Emerson’s mother. “My family has been associated with first-responders.”
Barbie asked Emerson why she wanted to participate in the project. “It shows we appreciate them (first responders) and appreciate their helping other kids when they need it," Emerson said.
“She’s a very caring little girl,” Barbie said.
Barbie discussed with Emerson, who is a kindergartner at Brook Glenn Elementary, about age-appropriate projects and connecting with fire and police. “She liked the idea of helping the children that fire fighters and police come across in emergencies,” said Barbie.
Friends, family and Barbie’s co-workers helped Emerson with the campaign. Boxes of stuffed animals were delivered from family in Kentucky. Emerson’s uncle is in law enforcement and Barbie’s father is a retired policeman.
Sgt. Chad Richardson, Community Outreach, said, “I was immediately blown away when I heard (Emerson) wanted to give away the stuffed animals. At first I thought she said (35) but she said (35) bags.”
Richardson, who has two children, said, “Sometimes we forget the young victims when traumatic events occur.”
About Emerson
Lyman Cinderella Tot
Lives in Greer with Mom, Emerson, and big sister, Ashley
Kindergarten student at Brook Glenn Elementary
“Your Safe” Pals is a community service project collecting new and gently used stuffed animals to donate to emergency response departments.