The service was being held at the First Congregational Church in southwestern Missouri with up to 50 worshippers, including children and the elderly,  when a gunman burst into the church.  The minister, and two  deacons were killed and 5 others injured when the gunman started shooting during the service.

Capt. Richard Leavans of the Newton County Sherriff’s Department in Neosho, Missouri, felt that the hugs of teddies would cetainly be comforting when the children returned to church.  “It could have been a worse disaster, at least he let the children go…but going back to church, knowing what happened, will be tough.”  25 Hugs teddies will be very welcome.