To help children who have undergone traumatic situations, Operation Bear Hug was established in 1988. Through this program, Assistance League provides local emergency agencies with certified safe, toy teddy bears to offer children and young adults who have experienced a trauma.       Each year we have budgeted funds to continue supplying bears and have expanded to include other agencies. 2007 marked our twentieth year of distributing these cuddly bears. This year, we have individually bagged and distributed 1,320 bears, bringing our grand total to 11,000 bears! Currently our eight recipients are:                   . Footsteps of St. Agnes                   . Fresno County Sheriff's Department                   . Court Appointed Special Advocates                   . California Highway Patrol                   . Fresno Police Department                   . Department of Children and Family Services                   . Valley Teen Ranch                   . Nancy Hinds Hospice       We were very excited to meet with the Activity Directors from 6 Clovis Unified high schools at the beginning of the 2007 school year. Their leadership classes held a fundraiser in the spring of 2008 to benefit Operation Bear Hug. We sincerely thank Clovis West, Clovis North, Buchanan, Clovis, Clovis East and Gateway High Schools for their generosity and kindness.       Many law enforcement officers have made a commitment to carry two bears in their vehicle at all times. Their reports are filled with many heart rendering stories about the calming effects this gift has had on the children they encounter. An additional benefit of this program has been the rapport and trust developed between elementary school age children and officers when the students see the bears in the trunks of the law enforcement cars during community awareness education visits on campuses.