Kutak Rock's Kansas City office helped the Kansas City Paralegals Association (KCPA) collect a record number of Teddy Bears for their "Bears on Patrol" program, which supplies Kansas City Police Department patrol officers with teddy bears to give to children to ease their fears when faced with trauma.

“The bears are an important tool for the officers when our mere presence or words of comfort aren’t enough. The bears ease fears and offer security to young children who are caught up in upsetting incidents or situations,” said Officer Andy Hamil, the Community Interaction Officer of Central Patrol Division.

The KCPA has been the exclusive donor to the “Bears on Patrol” program for the past 15 years, and this year a record 1,221 teddy bears were collected.

In a friendly competition among Kansas City law firms, Kutak Rock donated more bears than any other medium-size law firm, totaling 656 stuffed animals (compared with 318 for 2016). This is the second year in a row that the firm has won the "traveling trophy" for most bears donated. Kutak Rock litigation paralegals LeeAnn Parmenter, Carri Miller and Jill Perkins headed the "Bears on Patrol" effort. The three also serve on the KCPA Board of Directors.

For more information about the Kansas City Paralegals Association and the "Bears on Patrol" program, please click here.