Collecting teddy bears for kids who are hospitalized

SPRINGFIELD --  The Arc of the Ozarks, along with some help from Miss Missouri, was outside the Walmart on Independence collecting teddy bears for the Children's Miracle Network hospitals.
    
The bears will then be given to patient durings their stay at the hospital.
    
Miss Missouri, Tippe Emmot, said the cause is important to her. "The Miss America organization has a national partnership with Children's Miracle Network. So, anytime anything is involved with Children's Miracle Network, I really try to jump at it and help out in any way since that's our national partnership with them."

Arc of the Ozarks officials said the turnout for Saturday's drive was good.