Sharing Our Hope

Teacher Mobilizes Students to Support Oxford Community

By Elizabeth Harsany

H Inkster Sharon Church member Elizabeth Harsany said that the stuffed animal drive shows that God is all about love and community. “God used this project to unify and show that, no matter how dark it becomes, light will always win; no matter how much hate there is, love will always overpower it.”

“THERE HAS BEEN SO MUCH DIVISION AND DISUNITY IN OUR COUNTRY, BUT THIS ALLOWED PEOPLE TO SEE PAST ALL THAT AS WE HAD SUPPORTERS FROM ALL RACES, ALL AGES AND ALL SOCIAL STATUSES.”

WHEN NEWS OF THE NOVEMBER 30, 2021,

deadly school shooting at Oxford High School reached Elizabeth Harsany in Canton, Michigan, her whole school was deeply affected.

They were just 50 miles away from the horrendous scene which had left four students dead and seven injured, including a teacher. At Canton Preparatory High School, a small charter school, students and teachers were a mixture of emotions, running the gamut from sad, angry and scared. They also felt helpless and wanted to do something.

The idea for a stuffed animal drive, the Teddy Bear Project, stemmed from a ministry at Canton. Whenever a student or staff member experiences loss or needs extra encouragement, that person’s name is passed along to Elizabeth, and she places a new or gently used stuffed animal in their locker or on their desk accompanied by a card letting them know that they are loved and supported. During virtual learning, this ministry hit the road with home drop-offs which also allowed Elizabeth, an English teacher, to see her students in person.

On. December 1, the first social media post went up asking for stuffed animal donations “to offer love and support” to the Oxford community. By the end of the first three days, they had collected 87. As the days went by and word began to spread on social media, donations began pouring in. Two local news stations came to the school and reported on their efforts. Donations arrived from Oklahoma, where Elizabeth is from, the Red Cross, 7-Eleven, and from members of the local community. Some brought one item, while others brought truckloads. By the end of the collection period 10 days later, they had received 1,470 stuffed animals!

“It was just pure joy to see so many people, those associated with Canton Prep and even complete strangers, coming together for this cause,” said Elizabeth, a member of the Inkster Sharon Church.

The next challenge was getting the donations to Oxford and, once again, God provided. A truck was donated by Penske in Plymouth. Elizabeth and a colleague drove to Oxford and delivered the truckload of stuffed animals to Oakland County Emergency/Relief services. The items were distributed the following day during a special social gathering for the kids at their local community center.

Elizabeth said this project has allowed students and staff to process this tragedy and allowed them to show support, love and compassion to others.

“God is all about love and community,” she explained. “While this horrendous act sought to divide, I believe God used this project to unify and show that, no matter how dark it becomes, light will always win; no matter how much hate there is, love will always overpower it. There has been so much division and disunity in our country, but this allowed people to see past all that as we had supporters from all races, all ages and all social statuses.” P

Elizabeth Harsany with Lake Union Herald staff