The Rockville Centre Lions Club presented a heartwarming donation of stuffed lion toys to the Rockville Centre Police Department, launching a new initiative aimed at offering comfort and reassurance to children during emergencies.
The initiative, developed in partnership with the local police, is designed to help children feel safe and supported during distressing events like accidents, domestic incidents, or other traumatic situations.
The plush lions, chosen for their symbolism of courage and strength, will be kept in police patrol cars and given to children officers encounter in times of crisis. These simple yet meaningful comfort toys are expected to make a significant impact on children’s emotional well-being when they need it most.
Lieutenant Nick DeLuca, who works closely with juveniles and serves as a liaison to the Rockville Centre Coalition of Youth, emphasized the importance of the program.
“These simple stuffed animals can make a big difference in helping a child feel safe and supported in tough moments,” DeLuca said.
The toy project was born out of the Lions Club’s commitment to community service. Earlier this fall, club members ordered 48 unstuffed lion toys and gathered on Nov. 9 to hand-stuff them with polyester fiberfill, each paired with a Lions Club T-shirt.
The finished toys were then presented to the police department on Dec. 19, marking the beginning of the initiative.
The idea for the project came from Maureen Jordan, the Lions Club's treasurer, whose sister, a Lions member in Florida, had seen similar programs in other areas.
“She does regular stuffed animals, but we were like, ‘Hey, why don’t we do a lion?’ It’s so cute,” Jordan shared, adding that the lion, as a symbol of bravery and strength, was an especially fitting choice for comforting children in distressing moments.
This was the first time the Lions Club has undertaken such a project in Rockville Centre. Marian Thomsen, the club’s marketing communications chair, mentioned that the idea was inspired by a fellow Lions member.
“It’s never been done here before,” she said, noting the excitement of introducing something new to the community.
She approached Rockville Centre Police Commissioner A. Randy Dodd to gauge his interest.
“I asked if he'd be good with it,” Jordan said. “And they were like, ‘Are you kidding me? We come across some domestic violence cases or a car accident, or a child’s upset. So, this would be absolutely fantastic.’”
