1. Press Release Contact: Catherine Pisacane
For Immediate Release Phone: 774-232-0000
Email: cpisacane@projectsmile.org
Date: 3/13/15
Project Smile Teddy Bears Making the Trip to Alaska.
Project Smile, the Hopedale based non-profit organization was recently contacted by a sergeant
from the St. Paul Police Department in hopes that the organization could donate stuffed animals
to help the children of St. Paul, Alaska.
Founded by Hopedale resident Catherine Pisacane in 2003, Project Smile donates stuffed
animals, coloring books/crayons and reading books for police officers, fire fighters and
paramedics to give to traumatized children. Project Smile has collected over 36,000 stuffed
animals and currently works with 193 police and fire departments in New England, including
almost all local departments. Many of the children who receive these items were involved in car
accidents, witnessed domestic violence, are victims of child abuse or other violent crimes, coping
with the loss of a loved one, or sick/injured. Project Smile also partners with the Department of
Children and Families and homeless shelters and donates stuffed animals and other items to be
given to children who are entering foster care or living in shelters. Over 7,000 children enter
foster care annually in Massachusetts and over 3,000 children are living in homeless shelters.
St. Paul, Alaska is an island located 300 miles off of the coast of Alaska and is the home to 500
residents. According to the sergeant who reached out to Project Smile, domestic incidents are
frequent on the island and he felt strongly that the teddy bears donated by Project Smile could
really help in comforting the children involved in these incidents.
“I am very excited to have our first donation to a Police Department in Alaska, and I look
forward to more opportunities to help the children of Alaska,” said Catherine Pisacane,
Executive Director of Project Smile, “It’s always great to partner with new police departments
and help these children in need.”
More information on Project Smile can be found at www.projectsmile.org or 508 634 0203.
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