Fairfield Mom Stocks Police Cars With 'Cuddle Bears' To Comfort Kids During Tough Times

FAIRFIELD, CT — With an opportunity to see her good work multiplied, one Fairfield woman generated an initiative that can only be described as warm and cuddly.

Jaclyn Brunetto, a mom of two young children and a kindergarten teacher as well, is also a consultant with the publishing company Usborne Books & More.

When she learned the company had a generous offer to match charity initiatives executed by its employees, she decided to take advantage and help spread some good around.

“I made it a goal at the beginning of the year to do more parties with a purpose,” she said, and looked for ways to leverage her company’s generosity.

With extra time over the summer — and an interest in local police work, given the educational and professional background of her husband, Mike — Brunetto came up with the idea to get a book and a stuffed bear into each police vehicle to help kids they encounter along the way.

“I think I’ve always had a little soft spot in my heart for police and all public helpers,” she said.

The book, "Cuddle Bear," written by Claire Freedman and illustrated by Gavin Scott, seemed to be a perfect fit, especially in tandem with a stuffed cuddly bear.

“Police officers have the unfortunate task of meeting others in some of their worst moments,” explained Sgt. Michael Stahl, of the Fairfield Police Department. “This is particularly difficult when the incident involves children.”

“These books and bears will allow officers to develop a personal connection with children in need and give them an outlet for some of the huge emotions they need to deal with,” he said. “Children may be little, but they have big emotions.”

Brunetto approached Stahl and the department about the idea at the end of July and the response was very positive.

“The teacher and mom in me was thinking about these kids and what they’re going through,” said Brunetto, who teaches at Wilton Public Schools and has two kids — Emmie, 3, and Milo, 18 months.

Over the past two months, thanks to the generosity of local residents — abetted by a publicity push Brunetto gratefully acknowledged from First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick — there have been a total of 120 sets donated, half of which came through Usborne Books.

“It’s just heartwarming to be able to do something like this,” Brunetto said, praising the company for encouraging its employees to get involved in helping others.

Stahl shared high praise for Brunetto, whom he said not only provided tools for officers to bring into crisis settings, but also something that can be used to help augment and encourage informal community engagement.

“These 'Cuddle Bear' books and stuffed animals will be available to officers in their patrol cars,” he said, “and allow them an opportunity to say hello to a child he or she is passing while they are out in town and provide that opportunity to develop those positive relationships with some of the youngest members of our community and their families."