VERNON, Conn. -- Tommy Moose will accompany state troopers in an effort to help comfort children in times of need.

Channel 3 Eyewitness News reporter Erika Arias reported that the state police received 100 stuffed animals that will be distributed to troopers to give to children in distress or who have been injured in incidents like car accidents or house fires.

The Moose Lodge and Rockville Bank in Vernon have teamed up to give hundreds of the fluffy Tommy Moose characters to kids in potentially scary situations.

"It's something they can hold onto when scared. They don't know what's going on. So, kids can hold onto it and sit in a corner, just have someone to talk to," said Tom Sheehan of the Rockville Moose Lodge.

Troopers can also give Tommy Moose to children whose parents' car is broken down on the side of the road. The kids will get a moose to help get their minds off the situation.

"Something like this is great. It kind of brings them back to kid level, use it to break the ice with them," Trooper Scott Leonard said.

The Moose Lodge and Rockville Bank presented 100 of the stuffed animals to the state police on Thursday. Another 100 are on the way and many more are in the works.

State police said the supply comes at a time when it's most needed.

"We've used items like DARE stickers and stuff in the past, but as you know, a stuffed animal goes a long way with a child more than anything else," Trooper William Tate said.

State police said troopers will run out of the stuffed animals pretty quickly and they could always use more.

If you'd like to help provide state police with more of the stuffed animals, please contact Rockville Bank to make a donation.