When Jill Feldpausch wanted to get the MSU Rodeo Club more involved in community outreach, she didn't know where to begin. And then someone mentioned teddy bears.
At a club meeting in December, one member suggested a teddy bear drive for sick children as a good service project, and it was something everyone agreed with. Until Thursday, the club will collect teddy bears to donate to the children of the Hurley Medical Center in Flint on Friday.
"It will be really fun to interact with the children," Feldpausch, the club's president and an animal science senior, said. "We're going to surprise the kids and dress up as cowboys and cowgirls."
Feldpausch said the club members tried calling local hospitals, but there wasn't enough interest or need for the teddy bear drive.
But then the group contacted the Hurley Medical Center.
"You can't imagine what this means to the kids," said Lori Newton, a child life specialist in pediatrics and the pediatric intensive care unit at the center.
Part of Newton's job is to organize crafts, plays and movie showings for the kids — so that the children are relaxed and happy.
"We try to make the environment as much like home as possible," Newton said.
Newton doesn't plan on telling the children about the surprise visitors until Friday, right before the rodeo club makes its delivery.
"If I tell them too far in advance, they might get so excited they'll make themselves more sick," Newton said.
The children aren't the only ones who will be excited — Feldpausch said she and other club members are anxiously awaiting Friday.
"These kids are going through rough times that I'll never have to deal with. I want to give them something to look forward to, and be a part of their happiness," said Dave Brooks, a 2006 packaging graduate who still participates in the club.
Club members wanted to do more projects, similar to the teddy bear drive, but haven't been able to find the time, Jessica Stroud, an animal science freshman, said.
"(The drive) will be a great thing for us to do as a club," Stroud said. "It'll be neat to see those kids' faces when they see all the teddy bears."
Hurley Medical Center suggested to Feldpausch that the club raise about 200 bears. So far the club has about 150, she said.
Anyone interested in donating to the hospital can bring teddy bears by 5 p.m. Thursday to a drop box in 1264 Anthony Hall. The only requirement for bears is that they must be new to avoid health code violations.
