That’s why Temple, who works with the sheriff’s office and is vice president of the Halifax County Law Enforcement Association believes in the Motel 6 chain’s Great Teddy Bear Roundup, an effort to collect small to medium bears for law enforcement across the area.

“It helps break down barriers when dealing with children in stressful situations,” Temple said this morning,

Temple has kept stuffed animals in his car for years and so do other officers. “A teddy bear is a symbol of innocence. To the point, I would say it’s therapeutic when used in interviews where a child has been a victim of crime or a witness to a crime.”

He remembers stopping an impaired driver who had his children in the vehicle. The driver resisted and a struggle ensued. “The children were looking at it. The guy was uncontrollable and would not tell us who to call to get the children.”

The teddy bear, in that situation, “Helped bridge the gap,” he said.

Then there was a fire where the mother was distraught and the children were distraught, Temple recalled.

The children were in the patrol car for warmth. “The teddy bear gave them something to hold on to. There’s something about a teddy bear that has a calming affect.”

The roundup runs through December 3, according to a press release from the chain.

Members of the community can drop new teddy bears in collection boxes at one of the following Motel 6 locations: 1911 Julian R. Allsbrook Highway, Roanoke Rapids; 1370 N. Wesleyan Blvd. Rocky Mount; 301 SE Greenville Blvd., Greenville or 3520 Maitland Drive, Raleigh.

The goal of the campaign is to collect new, small to medium-sized teddy bears at local Motel 6 locations across the country.

The teddy bears will be donated locally to law enforcement agencies, fire departments or hospitals in need of a means to comfort children experiencing stressful or traumatic situations. Each year, police and fire departments across the country collect teddy bears to donate to hospitals, child protective agencies or to hand out to children they meet every day.

“The growing success of our Great Teddy Bear Roundup over the last two years has warmed our hearts and strengthened our commitment to collecting teddy bears for the community,” said Olivier Poirot, CEO of Accor North America, Motel 6 and Studio 6. “We respect and appreciate the work of our local police, fire departments and social services and are proud to continue supporting them in their efforts to comfort children in need.”

Last year’s Great Teddy Bear Roundup garnered more than 15,000 teddy bears, benefitting local communities nationwide.

The Halifax County Law Enforcement Association is made up of local and state agencies which raise funds to support youth events, Temple said.

For questions regarding the Great Teddy Bear Roundup at Motel 6 in Roanoke Rapids, please contact Kate Tolbert at 252-537-5252.