BEAR HUGS FROM ACOM

Fuzzy, cuddly stuffed bears can ease a child’s fears during a family crisis or crime scene trauma. Thanks to ACOM members, the Indianapolis Police Department has 167 new toys to use in this heartwarming way.

Bob Desautels, Senior Manager of Convention Services at the Indianapolis CVA, is flanked here by members of the IPD, who are holding a few of the bears donated by ACOM members during the 2004 conference.

Desautels, a member of the ACOM/PCMA Convention Host City Committee, brought the idea to ACOM’s Marketing & PR Committee, who immediately endorsed it as a way for ACOM to give something back to the host community in a meaningful way. The stuffed animals were displayed as table centerpieces during the annual business meeting luncheon at the Hyatt Regency. In addition, on the day the 16th Annual Convention began, Friday, January 9th, ACOM was given air time to publicize this community project during a live interview Desautels had with radio station WIBC-1070 morning drive-time personalities.

Members stuffed their suitcases to bring 150 toys to Indianapolis, while still others were given the opportunity to purchase a bear at the time of on-site registration. Enough money was raised to purchase an additional 17 bears through a special arrangement made with a local Toys-R-Us store in the city. Desautels estimates the value of the total contribution was in excess of $2000, but the ultimate value in hugs and smiles is priceless.

 

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