One of the side stories of our war in Iraq is the affect it has on the children of our servicemen and women. An especially sad story came from Italy where American children live on Army bases. Their school buses have been egged or stoned, their families' cars burned and paint thrown on their homes. All these children need comfort.

Well, "Hugs Across America" is back and may soon become "Hugs Around the World." You may remember that after September 11, 2001, the youngsters of Sue Lucarelli's class at The Churchill School in Manhattan expressed a need for "hugs." These hugs were given, as were teddy bears that continue to provide love and comfort to the children. With the support of Reformed Church World Service, the Manhasset Community Reformed Church members distributed some 58,000 teddy bears to the children of New York City, under the name "Hugs Across America." The bears were not given as toys, but were used as nurturing tools to relieve the anxiety and fear of our youngest, most vulnerable residents-the children. Letters from parents, children, teachers and principals confirmed that the anxiety level was dramatically reduced by the introduction of teddy bears. Time after time we were told of the "sense of peace" that holding the bears provided these young victims of fear and loss.

During the last several weeks it has come to our attention that the children of our servicemen and women are experiencing some of the same feelings. After parents receive word of their deployment, they immediately go, in uniform, to the schools for "last lunches" with their children, amid tearful goodbyes. Many parents who have done so will not return and the principals have requested teddy bears, by the thousands. There is no need to ask why there is fear at the school, when it may be the last place the children see a parent. A truckload of 2600 teddies left the Manhasset church driveway on Friday, April 11, on its way to Fort Bragg, in North Carolina. Thanks to the generosity of BAX Global, an international shipping company, the bears have been and will continue to be delivered free of charge. Requests from Fort Drum are up to 4000 and Fort Benning is awaiting its final count after the Easter break as new families are being sent to the base. These three bases alone are 85 percent deployed.

As we said above, some children in other countries are faring even worse. Many of those host countries disagree with the policies of the United States and some unhappy citizens have apparently taken out their frustration on the children. In several of these cases, there is 100 percent deployment, occasionally with both parents in Iraq. The youngsters not only fear the loss of a parent, but also are exposed to daily fear of intimidation. The principals of the schools on these bases have learned the comfort value of teddy bears and are urgently requesting them. What can you do to help? The Manhasset family has known the feelings of hope and love that have been shared through teddy bears sent to us from across America. It is our turn to respond to others in need. Teddy bears are welcome. They must be new, 10 to 14 inches, and huggable. Money may be sent to "Hugs Across America" 90 Plandome Road, Manhasset, NY 11030; or your hands and hearts are welcome to help as we hug, tag, bag and deliver the thousands more bears needed. The task at hand is great and it is now.