Children and stuffed animals speak the same language — at least that’s what Hank Williams and some of his friends think.

“There is a special connection that kids have with cute, furry stuffed animals,” said Williams, a member of the Branson Bootkickers.

For more than 25 years, the Branson Bootkickers, a local country western dance group, has donated stuffed animals to local emergency and law enforcement agencies in what it calls the Teddy Bear Brigade.

The stuffed animals are used to comfort children during tough times when they come into contact with these agencies.

“The police, fire, ambulance and hospital personnel give the animals to children in hopes that it will comfort them,” Williams said. “It’s a gesture that lets the kids know they are there to help.”

On Wednesday, Williams and fellow Bootkicker Herb Rogers, delivered nearly 100 stuffed animals to Skaggs Community Health Center and the Taney County Ambulance District.

He said the group began collecting the animals in September.

“We just keep bringing them in and it turns into a pretty big pile of animals,” Williams said. “We took the bigger ones to Skaggs and the smaller ones went to the ambulance district.”

The Skaggs donation will be used in the pediatrics unit.

“This is a generous donation,” said Skaggs LPN Heather Brown. “It is greatly appreciated by both the staff and the children who need additional comforting during their stay (at Skaggs).”

Jeff Hawkins, TCAD Operations Manager, said its great to have the stuffed animals in their ambulances.

“This can give the kids something to hang onto,” Hawkins said. “It also gives them a reason to trust us. It almost always makes them smile.”

Officials from Skaggs and TCAD said they appreciate the efforts of the Bootkickers.

“If they didn’t do this for us, we would probably have to pay for the animals,” Hawkins said. “The people who donate these items will never really know how much this helps us do our jobs.”

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Area Churches Serve Loaves And Fishes Dinners Beginning January 4

Seven churches are opening their doors this year to provide meals every night of the week from January 4th through March 13th. Church locations include: Salvation Army on Sundays; First Baptist Branson on Mondays; Church Army Branson on Tuesdays; Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church on Wednesdays; Branson United Methodist Church on Thursdays; First Presbyterian on Fridays; and Faith Lutheran on Saturdays.

“No doubt the need is greater than ever for folks who are struggling in the Ozarks” said Sue Head, on of the organizers of the Loaves & Fishes program. The program is a collaborative effort among 70 groups who have stepped up to “take a night” to provide a warm, nutritious meal at no charge for anyone in need during the “off season”.

The program in 2008 was only five nights a week and served over 3,000 people.

Meals will be served from 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at each of these locations. A map of the locations can be found at www.hometowndailynews.com. If you have any questions, please call Dee Klein at 335-4599.

The 60th Annual Adoration Celebration drew record crowds, according to a news release.

The parade adheres to a non-commercial policy with each of the 39 floats free of advertising and identified only with the name of the organization. There were 16 bands.

The extent of the Christmas celebration in Branson—with special shows in the theaters, special events and lighting at Silver Dollar City and the three area Christmas light drive-throughs—is one reason that Branson was included among seven destinations for the Travel Channel’s special, “Most Christmasy Places In America.”

The special airs on Dec. 10 at 7 and 11 p.m., Dec. 14 at 5 p.m. and Dec. 17 at 8 a.m. and 4 and 10 p.m.

Here are the 2008 Adoration Parade Float/Walking Unit Awards:

Non-Profit/Religious

1. Faith Life Church
2. Purdy First Freewill Church
3. First Baptist Church – Forsyth

Non-Profit/Non-Religious

1. Girl Scout Troop 294
2. Branson/Hollister Rotary
3. Kiwanis of Stone County

For-Profit/Religious

1. Sight & Sound Theater
2. Camp Little Paws
3. The Vacation Channel

For-Profit/Non-Religious

1. At Your Service Limousine
2. Taney County Tire

2008 Adoration Parade Band Awards

Red (Fewer Than 40 Students)

1. Blue Eye Marching Bulldogs
2. Spokane Marching Owls
3. Billings Wildcats

White (41-75 Students)

1. Riverton Fighting Rams, Riverton, Kan.
2. Strafford Flaming Arrows
3. Fair Grove Marching Eagles

Blue (More than 76 Students)

1. Joplin Eagle Pride

Drum & Bugle Corps

1. Hillcrest Highlanders