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Alexis Celis

Dr. Sharity Nelson

English 1301

20 September 2022

Webb County Sheriff’s Office “Volunteer Opportunity: Share-A-Bear Project” Laredo 2022

The Sherriff’s Office's duty is to help serve the citizens of Webb County. To do this, the

office holds events for the community. This month, the Laredo Sheriff’s Office held an event

called Share-A-Bear Project. This project’s mission is to help children who have endured a

traumatic situation. The office has requested assistance from Texas A&M International

University students. This flyer flyer for this event can be found on the TAMIU Trailblazer

website.

Children who have endured traumatic situations are greatly affected. These effects

can make a child have difficulty adapting to different conditions, whether in school or at home.

After reading the National Child Traumatic Stress Network website, it gave insight iintot allowed

me to gain perspective on how traumatic events affect kids. The feeling of constant fear and

vulnerability takes a toll on kids them mentally, physically, and behaviorally. These two

significant parts of development can also affect future relationships with others. As stated in the

article, “When those relationships are unstable or unpredictable, children learn that they cannot

rely on others to help them.” (Peterson, Sarah). Mentally, these children can develop illnesses

such as PTSD and anxiety. Hypersensitivity and eating disorders are the most common physical

effects on a child who has been in those situations. A child's development could be hindered

without proper treatment and can have long-term health consequencesaffect the rest of their life.

For example, a child, who has been through trauma could "overreact" to something as measly as
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a teacher raising their voice, while a child who has not been through a traumatic situation

anything like that would not react that same way. Additionally, if there is a particular smell or

texture to an item, it might trigger the child. Not knowing how to express their emotions is

connected to how a child's relationship would be with people. Their behavior could come off as

explosive or emotionally numb, depending on the situation. As a child ages, being social with

other kids of their generation won't be easy. However, subtle offerings of comfort and

something they can depend on when frightened can have a meaningful change.

That is what the Webb County Sheriff’s office would like to provide, an item that

children can trust to be there for them. The comfort that a stuffed animal brings to a child is

wondrous. In those traumatic situations, such as a child abuse case, a child usually has a comfort

item that allows them to be at ease. The stuffed animal helps children through those rough times

by providing a distraction and a strong sense of security. This feeling of security can help a child

with their social skills. When a child feels comfortable with someone or something, they tend to

break out of their shell. When their social skills improve, they can deal with unfamiliar emotions,

—allowing their brain to continue developing. Over time, the children will overcome their

challenges and will be able to help kids who wereare going through similar traumsituationsas.

To participate in this event, studentsyou must look for the information on the

Trailblazers' website. This volunteer opportunity is great for students interested in earning

community service hours. Students can connect with their community by handing out flyers,

holding promoting signs, and bagging stuffed animal donations. According to the

website,trailblazers.tamiu.edu, "Webb County Sheriff's Office, the event will be at 5300 San

Dario Ave. (Mall del Norte, outside Build-A-Bear store)”)” (Tamiu Trailblazers). Every student

that signed up will be required to stay the entire shift. The shift lasts from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
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and has a casual dress code with a university t-shirt. Students who will be interested in

volunteering inat this event can go to trailblazers.tamiu.edu/events and search "Share-A-Bear

Project." Students will use a Google form to sign up before the September 12th deadline of 2022.

If attendees need additional information, they are able tocan “contact Esmeralda Melendez at

(956) 718-8084, emelendez@webbcountytx.gov”(Tamiu Trailblazers).

           Overall, the event's mission is to help children going through a traumatic situation by

giving them a stuffed animal. The sheriff's office wants to reassure these children that there is

still good in this world. Giving them something significant that can help them if they ever feel

unsafe. These children can carry this into the future and use it to remember how they overcame

something so complex. The donations can make a monumental impact on these lives. Volunteers

can gain a positive experience and some community service hours from this event. Not only can

people be motivated to assist in the community, but they can help other organizations in need.

Seeing the people of their community come together to donate and be interested in the

information on the flyers, they would be passing out and helping these children with what they

can provide. 
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Works Cited

Tamiu Trailblazers. “Volunteer Opportunity: Share-A-Bear Project.” Tamiu.edu, 2017,

trailblazers.tamiu.edu/event/8218782. Access September 6, 2022.

Peterson, Sarah. “Effects.” The National Child Traumatic Stress Network, 30 Jan. 2018,

www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/trauma-types/complex-trauma/effects.

Peterson, Sarah. “Effects.” The National Child Traumatic Stress Network, 30 Jan. 2018,

www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/trauma-types/complex-trauma/effects.