Bearing gifts for the holidays.

Holidays in a hospital don't sound too cheery, but one thoughtful Master Sergeant and a big helping hand from ADAA helped to make things a little better for the soldiers at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C.

The idea of presenting hospitalized American "warriors" with red-white-and-blue teddy bears was the brain child of MSG Anita McCoy, U.S. Army. She began to independently raise funds for the purchase of cuddly clumps of holiday cheer as an independent project of her own. When word of this reached ADAA Past President Cindy Bradley, Cindy pitched in to help too. Ms. Bradley is ADAA's liaison to the U.S. Army as Co-Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee to the Army. Over 2000 Army dental assistants are members of the ADAA and benefit from our continuing education programs.

Acting in the capacity of a concerned citizen and a representative of ADAA, Ms. Bradley contacted the ADAA Board of Trustees and the ADAA Foundation and solicited donations for the project. Both groups were pleased to comply and immediately responded with enthusiasm and dollars to launch the project. These funds along with many other contributions gave birth to hundreds of teddy bears and loads of holiday cheer for the soldiers who weren't forgotten even though they had to spend their holidays in the hospital.

Donations are still being accepted for future occasions like Valentine's day and Easter. Please send your checks to "ADAA Army Bears," c/o Cindy Bradley, 140 Sandlewood Trail, Winter Park, FL 32789.