ONCE A BLUE JAY ALWAYS A BLUE JAY. TWO DAYS AFTER THE SCHOOL SHOOTING, THE PEOPLE OF PERRY CONTINUED TO WORK TOGETHER, SOME NOW WORKING TO BRING KIDS A LITTLE BIT OF JOY. vlog ETHAN HUMBLE CONNECTED WITH THE LOCAL BOY SCOUT TROOP ABOUT HOW THEY’RE STEPPING UP TO HELP A TEDDY BEAR MAY JUST SEEM LIKE A CHILDHOOD TOY, BUT AFTER THE TRAGEDIES OF THURSDAY AND PERRY, ONE LOCAL BOY SCOUT TROOP IS USING THEM TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. FIFTH GRADER KIRA SCHNEIDER WAS GOING TO SCHOOL, AS SHE NORMALLY WOULD THURSDAY MORNING. THAT WAS UNTIL SHE GOT A CALL FROM HER BEST FRIEND AT THE HIGH SCHOOL, AND SHE WAS RUNNING SO I COULD BARELY UNDERSTAND HER, AND SHE WAS JUST TRYING TO TELL ME ABOUT WHAT WAS HAPPENING. SHE ENDED UP LEARNING IT WAS THE SHOOTING THAT KILLED 11 YEAR OLD AMIR JOLLIFF AND LEFT AT LEAST SEVEN OTHERS INJURED. SCHNEIDER’S DAD, SCOTT, SAYS HE MADE SOME CALLS AS FAST AS HE COULD INSTANTLY. I CALLED MY SON, WHO IS IN THE HIGH SCHOOL, AND THEN ONCE I FIND OUT HE IS SAFE, I GET AHOLD OF MY MY DAUGHTER AND THANKFULLY BOTH WERE OKAY. BUT WITH BOTH INVOLVED IN PERRY’S LOCAL BOY SCOUT TROOP 127, THE SCHNEIDER’S THOUGHT OF THOSE WHO WEREN’T OKAY. THEY GATHERED THE GROUP AND THOUGHT OF A GIFT THEY COULD GIVE TO HELP COMFORT THE CHILDREN CLOSEST TO THE TRAGEDY. CAN WE DO A STUFFED ANIMAL DRIVE? ABSOLUTELY. THAT’S WHAT SCOUTS DO. WE HELP OUT AND THEY GOT TO WORK. THE TROOP HAS BEEN GATHERING TEDDY BEARS AND RECEIVING PAYMENT. FOR MORE ON SCHNEIDER’S VENMO. WE WERE HOPING TO GET ENOUGH STUFFED ANIMALS FOR ONE CLASS. THE CLASS OF THE TEACHER THAT HER DAD IS THE PRINCIPAL. NOW, WITH AN OUTPOUR OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH, THE GOAL HAS GROWN TO GETTING STUFFED ANIMALS FOR EVERY KID IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. THE SCHNEIDER’S DROPPED OFF THE BEARS AT THE PERRY PUBLIC LIBRARY SATURDAY TO SUPPORT THOSE SEEKING OUT THE LIBRARY’S FREE COUNSELING SERVICES. KIRA SAYS IT’S JUST WHAT SCOUTS DO. WE’VE ALWAYS TRIED TO DO WHATEVER WE CAN FOR THE COMMUNITY. SCHNEIDER SAYS THE TROOP WILL CONTINUE ACCEPTING DONATIONS THROUGH WEDNESDAY IN PERRY. ETHAN HUMMEL, vlog EIGHT NEWS IOWA’S NEWS LEADER. IF YOU’D LIKE TO DONATE A TEDDY BEAR, YOU CAN FIND DROP OFF BOXES IN PERRY AT FAREWAY. HY-VEE BENDS, FIVE AND DIME TRACTOR SUPP
'That's what scouts do:' Perry Boy Scout troop organizes teddy bear drive for elementary students
With an outpour of community outreach, the goal has grown to getting enough stuffed animals for every kid in the elementary school.
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Updated: 10:33 PM CST Jan 6, 2024
Just days after the Perry school shooting that killed 11-year-old Ahmir Jolliff and wounded seven others, one community group is using stuffed animals to make a difference.Among the resources available for families impacted by the shooting, Boy Scout Troop 127 is hosting a teddy bear drive for elementary school students in Perry.The troop has been gathering teddy bears and receiving payment for more on Venmo.Fifth-grader Kyra Snyder and her dad Scot, the scoutmaster of the troop, said the idea came when the group gathered after the shooting." can we do a stuffed animal drive?" Scot said. " absolutely. That's what scouts do: we help out. And from that moment to today, I can't imagine how much this has blown up."Now, with an outpouring of community outreach, the goal has grown to get enough stuffed animals for every kid in the elementary school.The Snyders delivered some of the bears they've already received at the Perry Public Library Saturday to support those seeking out the library's free counseling services.Kyra said it's heartwarming to see people stepping forward to make the drive happen."It's amazing how the community came together. Absolutely amazing. Everyone is working their hardest to do whatever they can to help the community," she said.The drop-off boxes at Fareway, Hy-Vee, Ben Franklin's, Tractor Supply Co., Ace Hardware and First United Methodist Church in Perry.Snyder said the troop will keep accepting donations through Wednesday.Watch: Perry student remembers sixth-grade classmate, friend killed in shootingvlog's coverage of Perry school shooting: Ahmir Jolliff: Sixth-grader killed in Perry school shooting remembered as a joyful boyPhotos of Ahmir Jolliff, 11-year-old boy killed in Perry, Iowa school shootingAuthorities identify sixth-grader killed in Perry shootingQuestions linger about Perry school shooter's motive, where he got firearmsNebraska senator after Iowa school shooting: Give schools option of arming employeesAuthorities identify 17-year-old shooter who killed 1, wounded 7 in Perry school shootingFamilies recount terrifying moments from inside Perry High School during deadly shootingPolice on massive response to Perry High School: 'No community is immune'Iowa leaders, elected officials react to Perry High School shootingResources available for families impacted by Perry High School shootingDispatch recordings provide timeline of Perry High School shooting in IowaPerry High School principal Dan Marburger among 7 wounded'May this vigil be a beacon of light': Hundreds gather at Perry park to pray and mourn as a communityFamilies of Sandy Hook victims release statement on Perry High School shootingPerry school shooting creates new questions for Republicans in Iowa’s presidential caucusesPerry school superintendent provides update on when classes may resume after deadly shooting
PERRY, Iowa — Just days after the Perry school shooting that killed 11-year-old Ahmir Jolliff and wounded seven others, one community group is using stuffed animals to make a difference.
Among the resources available for families impacted by the shooting, Boy Scout Troop 127 is hosting a teddy bear drive for elementary school students in Perry.
The troop has been gathering teddy bears and receiving payment for more on Venmo.
Fifth-grader Kyra Snyder and her dad Scot, the scoutmaster of the troop, said the idea came when the group gathered after the shooting.
"[The scouts said] can we do a stuffed animal drive?" Scot said. "[I said] absolutely. That's what scouts do: we help out. And from that moment to today, I can't imagine how much this has blown up."
Now, with an outpouring of community outreach, the goal has grown to get enough stuffed animals for every kid in the elementary school.
The Snyders delivered some of the bears they've already received at the Perry Public Library Saturday to support those seeking out the library's free counseling services.
Kyra said it's heartwarming to see people stepping forward to make the drive happen.
"It's amazing how the community came together. Absolutely amazing. Everyone is working their hardest to do whatever they can to help the community," she said.
The drop-off boxes at Fareway, Hy-Vee, Ben Franklin's, Tractor Supply Co., Ace Hardware and First United Methodist Church in Perry.
Snyder said the troop will keep accepting donations through Wednesday.
Watch: Perry student remembers sixth-grade classmate, friend killed in shooting
vlog's coverage of Perry school shooting:
