McGruff's Across the Country Share Their Stories

One day at a school, I was dressing in the teacher's restroom, thinking this place was safe from children seeing me put on the costume, and I was discovered by a ten-year-old girl. As I left the bathroom stall, I found her watching me. I was upset to know she was there, but I took my "head" off and asked her not to say anything. She said she would be quiet about this, but after I got into her classroom I discovered she was a little troublemaker.  I singled her out to help me, and with this important position she rose to a different level. She shined! I'm glad to say now we email each other, and she plans to be a police officer when she finishes school.  She also wants to get into community service and hopes to give a chance to a child like I gave her.

The most positive experience is watching children's faces when McGruff walks into a room.  The smiles and welcome reception from the children is amazing. You have to be a people person in order to play the part.  The other positive experience is watching the children learn as they have fun and to see people run up to McGruff waiting for him to get a handshake and a hug.
 
When you portray McGruff, you need to remember you are representing a character who is respected and trusted by a child.  Children will honestly and openly share their stories with you.  It is heartwarming to see McGruff touch a child's life.

I was speaking at a luncheon for a civic group.  A gentleman came up to me and said, "Do you realize what effect McGruff has on young people?" He went on to tell me that last fall his grandson was visiting when his wife suddenly took ill and collapsed.  His grandson immediately dialed 9-1-1-.  The man's wife is doing fine now thanks to the quick thinking of his grandson.  When he asked his grandson where he learned to do what he did, he replied, "At school McGruff told us what to do in an a emergency."

While visiting a nursing home to engrave resident's personal property with their name or identification number, I took McGruff with me to encourage crime prevention efforts at the home.  The activity director said that McGruff was the most well-received visitor they had ever had. Not only children benefit from McGruff.

I've used the McGruff costume on many occasions.  I've responded to school events, National Night Out, church events, Operation Fightback, and much more.  It is a joy for me to introduce and educate the children in the community about who McGruff is and what he stands for.  I enjoy wearing the costume and assisting in any way with promoting McGruff and crime prevention.