Stuffed animal collections for deputies exceeds goals, spreads to other agencies

A senior project to gather stuffed animals for sheriff’s deputies to hand out during crisis situations widely exceeded its goals, according to the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department.

North Senior Cole Hopkins was mentored by Deputy Sgt. Andrew Whipker in the project.

The sheriff’s department say that the pair garnered donations of more than 1,800 stuffed animals. Because of the surge in collected stuffed animals, Cole is extending his project to other area police agencies including the Hope Police Department, Edinburgh Police Department and the Indiana State Police.

Photo: Columbus North High School Senior Cole Hopkins and ISP Trooper Derek Eggers. Photo courtesy of Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department.