Yellowknife (Apr 28/06) - When women who knit get together, good things happen.

Just ask Heidi-Ann Wild and Marie Speakman of the Yellowknife Victim Services program.

The service that provides support to victims of crime was recently handed over a big sack of love in the form of knitted teddy bears - just in time for Victims of Crime Awareness Week.

"We will give them to the children victims, or children of victims who come through the program," said Wild, victim services program co-ordinator.

The donation of about 25 bears came from Yellowknife RCMP Const. Trevor Shea. They were made by his mother, grandmother and five friends from Saskatchewan.

"They decided they would start knitting them and my mom called and asked if the RCMP in Yellowknife would be interested in having these for children," Shea said.

He then approached Speakman, a victims services worker, who welcomed the donation.

Wild said children will greatly appreciate the cuddly gift.

"When trauma happens, it creates emotional instability and disrupts their sense of safety," she said.

"Having a teddy bear is an added comfort in a time of crisis."

Shea said the knitters are now working on a second batch of the colourful bears to be sent to a shelter in Inuvik.

Wild said Victims Services has another reason to recognize Victims Week.

The 11 volunteers who provide emergency support to those in need have just been awarded with the Municipal and Community Affairs annual NWT Outstanding Volunteer Award in the group category.

As this is also National Volunteer Week, the award was given during a special ceremony in Kakisa last week.

"After completing 30 hours of intensive training, they provide emergency response services to victims of crime after hours," Wild said.

"It helps our emergency response services become a 24 hours, seven days a week service.

"They're a phenomenal group and so committed. I was absolutely delighted when we were informed they won."