Photo: Carl Stevens/WBZ NewsRadio
LYNN, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) —The Lynn Police and Fire Departments have a unique way of comforting children in stressful situations.
Since 2016, first responders in the town have used “Trouble,” the name of the plush toy dogs delivered by The Kennek Foundation as a way to help calm kids in distress.
Sheila Duncan, Marblehead resident and founder of The Kennek Foundation, explained that Trouble was created by her niece 20 years ago.
"She wanted to do something to comfort kids going through tough times,” she said. “That’s exactly what’s happening."
This year, the foundation received a donation from the Lynn G.E. Employees Good Neighbor Fund that allowed them to provide 60 more of these Trouble plush toys.
"This year, as we have done in many years past thanks to them, we were able to deliver 60 American made plush Trouble comfort dogs to Lynn Police and Fire," Duncan said.
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The Kennek Foundation has shared these toys with first responders across the country to help kids and even grownups going through stressful times.
"Kids pick him up, they’re drawn to him like a magnet, and they pick him up and instantly hug him,” Duncan said. “It’s grownups too, it’s automatic."
Duncan hopes that Trouble will become a recognizable face across the country, giving comfort to as many people as possible.
"The easiest way to think about it is Hello Kitty with a purpose," she said.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Carl Stevens (@CarlWBZ) reports.