AT&T SPECIAL PRESENTATION TO RNR

From Jim “Rusty” Gorgans, Chairman, AT&T South chapter Pioneers Disaster Team

For years the AT&T and Bell South Pioneers have made and distributed a small stuffed bear to agencies such as the police department, fire departments, hospitals and nursing homes to name just a few. This bear is given to comfort those in need and these vary from an auto accident to being placed in a hospital or nursing facility. Each bear is hand made by volunteers who dedicate their time talents and treasury to this project. This bear is called a Hug–A-Bear.

Recently the AT&T Disaster team adopted an old project and put a new twist to it and approached the Red Nose Response team with it. I spoke with the Vice-President of the group Bob Gretton a Bell System retiree with the project and he was very excited to have the Pioneers involved. My next contact was Jeremy Cohen founder of the Red Nose Response organization who embraced the project a “Red Heart Nose Hug-A-Bear.”

Several calls were made to the Bell South and AT&T South Chapter Pioneers to begin making these Bears which were to be delivered to the Red Nose Response group in Atlanta during the South East Clown Association convention. Pioneers have always been there to answer the call of those in need and these bears will be going to those truly in need.

Present at the banquet to make the presentation of the Bears were Mandy Fridge President of the AT&T South Chapter Pioneers, Frances Brooks of Bell South, Jim Gorgans AT&T South Chapter Pioneer Disaster Chairman.

Accepting on behalf of the Red Nose Response organization was its Vice President Bob Gretton. The number of Bears presented that evening exceeded 500. Pioneers look forward in working with this group of Clowns in the future.