NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — A Newport News woman has handmade over 400 stuffed animals for kids in crisis, something that has become an asset for police and fire crews.
“I saw a situation one time that involved a young child, and it occurred to me that if that child had had something to hold onto, she would have been distracted during the situation,” Harriet Yeapanis said, holding back tears. “So, that's what started the whole thing.”
One stuffed animal turned into two — and years later, Yeapanis has made more than 400 for the Newport News Police Department and Newport News Fire Department.
“I couldn't stop. It was insane,” she said. “I mean it's like a sickness with me.”
Bunnies, pigs, and baby bears have become tools of comfort for kids, now tucked inside police cruisers and fire trucks across the city.
“I don't think in her mind she knows the number of kids that she touches,” said Chief Steve Drew of the Newport News Police Department. “You could probably pop any trunk of the police cars we have in our city and find those animals there.”
The soft, friendly faces are waiting for little arms to hold.
“It's a tough time for kids,” said Chief Wesley Rogers of the Newport News Fire Department. “Being able to provide something for comfort — to be able to not just distract them, but to give them something else to focus on — is extremely important.”
Yeapanis thought she was attending an award ceremony for her son-in-law. Instead, she was surprised with an Everyday Hero award.
“Thank you,” she said, clasping her hands.
Her daughter Andrea looked on with pride.
“It means a lot,” Yeapanis said. “My husband is with the police department and has seen a lot of horrible things over the years — a lot of it involving children. And they don't know what's going on when these scenarios come up generally. So, the idea that they can have something, like you said, to hold onto and to maybe feel some comfort is great.”
“I just put an order in for some more because my trucks are low,” said Jennifer Royal, the CARE supervisor with the fire department. “But thank you so much for all that you do. You touch so many lives.”
Humble as ever, Yeapanis said she gets just as much out of it as the kids do. And with the $300 gift certificate from Southern Bank, she said:
“I'll be buying more yarn, I'm sure.”
This article was researched, reported, and written by a WTKR News 3 journalist. AI was used to minimize typos and ensure style continuity.
