When State Trooper Cpl. Darrell Campbell walked into the hospital room of 2-year-old Jacob Parker Thursday, the youngster looked up and said, “Copper,” a term he uses for his father Daniel Parker, a patrolman with the Hartselle Police Department.

“It’s the uniform,” said Jacob’s mother Stephanie, who along with Daniel is helping to care for both of their small children, who are hospitalized with upper respiratory infections in the pediatric care ward at Cullman Regional Medical Center.

Jacob, who seemed to be feeling better Thursday afternoon, is recovering from pneumonia, while his sister Emma, 1, was hospitalized earlier in the day with bronchitis.

Cpl. Campbell and State Trooper Shane Flemming, both with the State Trooper Post in Decatur, visited the pediatric ward at CRMC to spread a little Christmas cheer in the form of a fuzzy, cuddly, Trooper Bear.

A Teddy Bear dressed up in a trooper hat and T-shirt, the Trooper Bears are being distributed statewide by the Alabama State Troopers Association for the purpose of bringing a little cheer into the lives of children who are spending the days leading up to Christmas in the hospital.

“I think what the troopers are doing is a great thing,” Daniel Parker said. “As a law enforcement officer myself, I know it is important for police to have a positive presence and influence in the community, but that’s difficult to do sometimes given the nature of our jobs. Anytime you can get out and do something special for families, especially those with small children, it’s a wonderful thing.”

Passing out Trooper Bears to kids at Decatur General Hospital and CRMC is one assignment Trooper Campbell says he has been looking forward to.

“It definitely makes the day more positive for us,” said Campbell, who is the Decatur Post’s representative to the Alabama State Trooper Association this year.

Trooper Flemming, who was the representative last year, said he enjoys charity work very much.

“This is a rewarding experience. To give the Trooper Bears to kids who are having to spend the days just before Christmas in the hospital and to see the look on their faces as they hug them, it’s just a great feeling,” Flemming said.

Four young patients were presented with Trooper Bears Thursday.

The Parkers are hopeful they’ll get to spend Christmas at home, “but the important thing is for our kids to get well,” Daniel Parker said.

“Jacob appears to be feeling better and he is finally eating again, but the doctor says he’s still very sick,” Parker said. “Emma just turned 1-year-old last week. The good thing is they’re receiving the care they need and the staff here have been just great.”

Jim Weidner, CRMC president and CEO, said his heart goes out to any family who has little ones in the hospital, but especially at Christmas time.

“I think the Trooper Bear program sponsored by the Alabama State Troopers Association and the Decatur Trooper Post is a great idea. We support anything that can bring a smile to a sick child,” Weidner said. “We also want the families to know that in addition to caring for the children, we are there to support them in any way we can.”