Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

The newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness throughout the world.

Special Treat – Roger Dean Kiser

August 31, 2006

The "We-Care-Bear" Project

Roger Dean Kiser

I stopped dead in my tracks as I saw numerous police cars race into the mini mart parking lot and screech to a halt. Within seconds there were officers racing out of the darkness, their guns drawn. I stood holding a gallon of milk and a loaf of bread, afraid to move a muscle. The next thing I knew the police had tackled a young woman, who was on the payphone, and were wrestling her ground. Several officers were screaming at the top of their voices demanding that she spit out whatever it was that she had placed into her mouth. I moved against the brick wall as several officers came out of the store with a young man, who was handcuffed.

"Can I move?" I asked one of the policemen.

"Just stay right where you are for a few more minutes," he advised.

I looked at my son and shook my head.

"Look at that Dad, That's terrible," he said, pointing inside the store.

I turned around to see a baby, about two years old, being held by an officer. The child was totally terrified and screaming at the top of her lungs. I watched as her little face turned beet red and began to distort and change shape. It was a horrible, horrible sight to witness.

"Oh my God, Dad can't you do anything? That baby’s veins are popping out on the top of her head. It might have an old person stroke or something," said Roger Jr.

I handed him the bread and milk and I stepped off the curb.

"I asked you not to move," yelled the police officer, pointing at me.

I'm going to go to my truck and get something for that poor baby," I told him.

"You move and I will arrest you and take you to jail. Do you understand me, mister?"

I looked at my son and then over at the baby, still in a state of screaming terror.

I turned around and began walking toward my truck. I opened the door and pushed the driver's seat forward. I reached into the back seat and took out a small teddy bear which I had bought at Wal-Mart, earlier that day, for my granddaughter Madison.

The policeman stood there, saying not a word, as he watched me walk toward the officer holding the baby.

"Do you have any children?" I asked him.

"No, I don't," he replied.

"Well, I do and this might help," I said, as I held the teddy bear out to the officer.

The policeman reached out and took the bear and held it toward the child. The baby reached out and took the teddy and immediately buried its scared little face into the brown fur of the small animal.

"Maybe I should carry a few of these bears in my police car," said the officer, as he somewhat laughed.

I knew right then and there that this was going be my next project. Orphanages had refused to allow me to help the orphan children when I started the Orphan Foundation several years ago.

This is a project I cannot do by myself. I want to start here in Brunswick, Georgia and spread the project from there. I want every state, county and highway patrol police car, as well as every emergency medical unit, to carry several teddy bears in their trunk, specifically for children who have to suffer such unbelievable, unnecessary trauma.

Anyone willing to help Roger Jr. and I please contact me

Roger Dean Kiser

trampolineone@earthlink.net