Michigan Sheriff’s Heartwarming Surprise As Stuffed Animal Donations Pour In

He asked, and the community answered - in a huge way. A sheriff's in Michigan's Upper Peninsula took to social media on July 8 to thank the community for their generosity.

Chippewa County Sheriff Mike Bitnar asked the community if he could have their new or gently used stuffed animals. The sheriff's department hands these stuffed toys out to children in traumatic situations, but also distributes them to kids every year at the Chippewa County Fair and other events throughout the year.

I'm sure that Sheriff Bitnar thought he'd get a few donations, but less than two weeks later, he posted an update - and showed what the people of the Eastern Upper Peninsula are all about.

READ MORE: These Small Upper Peninsula Towns Are Michigan's Hidden Gems

The people who work in the front office at the sheriff's department wanted to let the sheriff know just how many stuffed animals had been donated. They told him the number but wanted to surprise him with a visual.

When Sheriff Bitnar walked into his office that day, he was met with this:

Like he said, he asked for it.

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Sheriff Bitnar told 9&10 News that before collecting all of these, the office was down to only around 100 stuffed animals in their stock. I'd say they're definitely stocked up now.

I'm thinking that he should take a cue from the Grand Rapids Griffins and have a Teddy Bear Toss during a Lake Superior State Lakers hockey game at Taffy Abel Arena. (Or a Soo Eagles game at the Pullar.)

Want to move to the place where all of these kind people reside? You can actually buy your own mini-resort on Sugar Island!