Orchard Hospital staff members were pleased to receive the Tommy Moose donation. Courtesy photo

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – Carrying on a tradition, the Gridley Moose Lodge donated a case of 12 stuffed toy moose dolls (a.k.a. “Tommy Moose”) to benefit young patients at Orchard Hospital. The stuffed toys help comfort children in stressful situations.

Past Junior President Larry Evans and Moose Administrator/Gridley City Councilmember Jim Roberts represented the Moose Lodge and made the presentation.

“We’re a community organization and we care about helping in the community. That’s why we do this,” said Moose Lodge Treasurer Pamela Roberts.

Roberts said that the Gridley Police Department and CAL FIRE (California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection) both recently received a case of the dolls as well.

The Tommy Moose program fulfills one of the key missions of the Loyal Order of Moose: caring for children.

Twelve Tommy Moose dolls were donated to Orchard Hospital. Photo by Moose International

What started 23 years ago as a community service project in Connecticut has spread to Moose Lodges across the United States and Canada. More than 100,000 Tommy Moose plush dolls have been donated to shelters, hospitals and emergency workers since 2002.

The program has added color-along storybooks, bookmarks, a clothing line for infants and toddlers, and the Tommy Moose mascot often seen at parades and other public events throughout the country.

On Facebook, Orchard Hospital extended “a huge thank you to the Gridley Moose Lodge for their generous donation of stuffed moose animals for kids that come to the hospital. Your kindness is bringing big smiles and warm hugs to some very special little ones.”    

More information about the program can be found online at tommymoose.org.