Mrs. Sevier County distributes teddy bears

Cristina’s bear hugs a winner The Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Health Clinic in Sevierville distributed teddy bears Friday morning, to children who were in their office. Mrs. Sevier County, Tammy Walker, was on site to personally hand out the gifts to the children and meet the person directly linked to the stuffed animals. Dr. Larry Skelton, from Moundville, Alabama, lost his daughter to leukemia after an eight- year fight. His daughter, Cristina, was an avid fan of teddy bears and since her death, a local charity collects them and other stuffed animals, to donate to communities in Appalachia for Christmas. This was the clinic’s year to receive the animals. “The children were delighted with the bears,” commented Walker, who was impressed with the clinic and staff. “It was a joy to bring a smile to the children’s faces as well as raise the public’s awareness of the clinic.” This was Walker’s initial encounter with the health clinic and was awed by its capabilities as well as its goals. The Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Health Clinic was founded to reflect the life and Biblical teachings of Jesus Christ. Its main purpose is to provide accessible, affordable and quality health care for the working uninsured and others who cannot be served by other resources in the community. Every child who visits the clinic this Christmas season will receive his or her choice of a stuffed animal, thus honoring Christina, who loved teddy bears.