SAN ANGELO, Texas — Not every child has the chance to be home for the holidays.
Some, like those at Shannon Women & Children's in San Angelo, might be spending Christmas, Hanukkah or other celebratory events in a hospital room.
For the first time ever, the Dallas Cowboys Fans of San Angelo have partnered with Tattoo Mark for the Teddy Bear Fundraiser, distributing more than 100 stuffed animals to children in need of a smile.
"We're super grateful for the stuffed animals," Shannon Medical Center Child Life Specialist Elizabeth Bailey said. "They make great gifts when children have to be in the hospital not only for Christmas, but sometimes kids are here for their birthday or we can use the items to help celebrate for special celebrations in their treatment plan."
Some children, for example, might receive a gift when moving on to their next round of chemotherapy or when they are officially released from the hospital. With a teddy bear not just for hospital patients, but sometimes for their siblings, as well, these simple donations can make all the difference.
Fundraiser organizer Mark Shenefield, better known as Tattoo Mark, arrived to the San Angelo medical center in a blue and white Santa Claus costume covered in stars and a logo reading, "COWBOYS."
Along his side was Dallas Cowboys mascot Rowdy and multiple vehicles decked in the football team's symbols and colors.
"These kids don't have the opportunity like we do and they're bed-ridden, all that, so what better way to put a smile on their face [than] with a teddy bear," Shenefield said.
This year alone, the fundraiser collected 2,800 teddy bears, with a goal to beat the record next year by raising 15,000 donations for hospitals across Texas.
Shenefield was joined by Dallas Cowboys Fans of San Angelo president Sam Lopez, who said, "It's just been a good unity of bringing back to the community and helping out each other."
The team then entered the hospital, where they distributed bags filled with teddy bears to be taken on wagons and given to the children accordingly.
"It's very comforting to the children and it's nice to know they've been thought of," Bailey said. "And it's comforting to their parents, too, for their parents to know that a community's in solidarity with them in helping their children."
Going forward, Tattoo Mark said he wants to make San Angelo a permanent stop on his list, making sure more and more children are given the comfort of a teddy bear.
