Woman who makes teddy bears for the Fresno Police Department received a new sewing machine

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) – With another delivery of handmade teddy bears designed to comfort Fresno’s tiniest crime victims, Levota Misner received her own donation.

For eight years, Levota has donated his time and talents to sew teddy bears for children in need.

“I gave the army salvation for a few years, then I found Maeketah and now I know where the bears are going,” she said.

Fresno Police Crime Analyst Maeketah Rivera introduced Misner to the department. Now, bears are in officers’ patrol cars, bringing comfort to children involved in or witnessing domestic violence, among other crimes.

When we first met Ms. Misner, she told us that she could sympathize with the children who would benefit from the bears.

“It gives them something to love and to hold,” she said. “Because I come from a family of alcoholics, I know what it was like to live in this type of environment. “

It was this story that appeared on Action News two weeks ago that caught the attention of the Visalia Fulfillment Center team at JOANN Stores.

RELATED: Woman Using Teddy Bears to Help Fresno Police With Young Victims

“She mentioned that she was buying fabric from JOANN and we thought it would be a good idea to help her,” says Brent Abbott.

This assistance went beyond the provision of boxes of fabric and thread. Ms. Misner received a new sewing machine.

“It’s good to see people who want to help the community and that’s what we wanted to do,” Abbott said.

“People don’t usually call the police department to say hello,” said Fresno Police Lt. Bill Dooley. “It’s usually something tragic going on in their life. To see something like that and be a part of something like that is extremely heartwarming.”

The outpouring of support didn’t stop with JOANN fabrics. Several members of the community mobilized and donated fabric to the headquarters of the department.

Ms. Misner says she’s going to take a few weeks off, but then she’ll start.