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A big bear hug: Each time they encounter a child in need, Oak Forest police officers and firefighters can soothe his or her fears with a bear that has been donated by resident Bob Miller through his employer, Shell Oil Products Co.
Miller has funneled 100 bears to the city, which offers children in stressful situations the comfort of a polar bear, panda or brown bear clad in a colorful sweater.
“We use them when we transport a child in the ambulance or we have a child in a car accident,” said Fire Chief Lindsay Laycoax.
Miller, the retail learning center manager for Shell, said his employer has a community outreach program, and he’s able to share a portion of his budget with his own community.