Rising Hills Church Members Stitch Comfort Into Cherokee County's Toughest Cases

Handmade comfort items will be given to child victims served by the unit during investigations

Two members of Rising Hills Church have given Cherokee County's youngest and most vulnerable crime victims something simple but powerful: a handmade bear to hold.

Brenda and Joan, both members of the local congregation, crafted a collection of hand-quilted teddy bears and donated them to the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Special Victims Unit, the agency announced on its Facebook page. The bears will go directly to child victims served by the unit.

The SVU handles some of the most sensitive investigations the Sheriff's Office undertakes — child abuse, sexual assault, and other crimes targeting vulnerable residents. When deputies and forensic investigators sit down with a frightened child, a soft, tangible comfort item can make a meaningful difference. Stuffed animals and similar objects are widely used by law enforcement agencies to help young victims feel safer during interviews and interactions with investigators, easing fear and confusion at moments that are already overwhelming.

What sets this donation apart is the labor behind it. These bears weren't pulled from a store shelf — they were sewn by hand, stitch by stitch, by two women who wanted to do something concrete for children they will likely never meet.

That spirit of quiet, practical generosity has long characterized Cherokee County's faith communities. Local congregations across the county regularly step beyond Sunday services to support public safety efforts, food assistance, and community resilience — and Rising Hills Church's contribution fits squarely within that tradition.

The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office expressed gratitude for the donation and noted that community partnerships like this one directly strengthen its ability to serve victims. Residents or organizations interested in supporting the Special Victims Unit or similar efforts are encouraged to contact the Sheriff's Office directly to ask about current needs.