Two Sacramento State organizations, along with several other area groups, recently teamed up to collect teddy bears for families that lost loved ones in the Sept. 11 attacks on New York and Washington.

The University Staff Assembly and Associated Students, Inc. joined co-sponsors such as the Hard Rock Cafe, the City of Sacramento, the Mayor?s Office and United Parcel Service in the “Teddy Bear Campaign” Nov. 1. The groups hope to collect 6,500 to 7,000 new teddy bears by Dec. 7 ? one for the head of each household that lost a family member.

“We want to take another step in the healing process and do something for the families of lost loved ones as a result of the tragedy,” said Staff Assembly President Thomas Matlock.

Matlock said it was his granddaughter who came up with the idea to send teddy bears to the families. He said the purpose of the campaign is to send a gift that is representative of this area and to show that the citizens of Sacramento have also been affected by the loss.

“First and foremost, the bear is affixed to our state flag and it represents the state of California, and of course bears have always been a symbol of love and comfort,” Matlock said.

ASI Press Secretary Janus Norman said the organization decided to take part in the campaign after seeing the way the community is coming together to embrace the idea.

“Various groups throughout the city are pulling together on this and we just wanted to be a part of it,” Norman said.

The campaign began Oct. 16 and will run through the first week of December. Donating would be a way for the people of Sacramento to send a gift of comfort to those who have experienced loss in the tragedies, Matlock said.

Matlock said they hope to collect enough teddy bears to cover each family, based on published reports of victims from the Sept. 11 tragedy. Personal letters addressed to the mayors of both cities will accompany the teddy bears, which will be sent a few weeks prior to the Christmas holiday.

The campaign is accepting donations from the entire Sacramento community. The Dollar Store has donated 10 bears, while the Hard Rock Cafe is giving a 20 percent discount on bear merchandise to individuals who present a Sac State identification card.

Boxes for donations are located throughout campus as well as in the community. There are boxes located, among other locations, at the College Dean offices, the CSUS Foundation and the Student Access Center in the University Union. There is also a box at the Central Library in downtown Sacramento.