Bear truth is Howell teen likes making children happy BY LARRY HLAVENKA JR. Staff Writer Amanda Johnson, 16, is working with Artists Helping Children to make teddy bears that are distributed to hospitalized children. HOWELL - Amanda Johnson has always loved art. And now, through the Artists Helping Children program, Amanda's love for art brings joy to sick children. Artists Helping Children is a nonprofit organization which seeks to enhance the quality of life for sick or abused youngsters. Amanda, 16, a junior at Howell High School, makes teddy bears that are distributed to children at area hospitals. To this point she has completed more than 40 bears. For her the project is twofold. "I love art," she said, "so I found a community service project to put art and community service with children together." Amanda said she gathers all of the materials she needs, including ribbon, lace and the patterns for the bears. Each bear comes with a hand-painted bag filled with new art supplies for the children. To pay for the effort, Amanda recycled computer ink cartridges and received store credit from an office supply store. With very little free time, since she is a varsity cheerleader, Amanda still pushed herself to make a difference. "It's something I can do in my free time," she said. "And it's sewing, I love sewing. It was a good thing to do. It really means a lot to know when I was making them that they would go to a sick kid and make their day." She's not looking for accolades, either. "Maybe it will look good for college, but I just wanted to help," she said. Amanda's bears have also been donated to the Kicking Out Cancer Kick-a-thon at the Ramtown Karate Academy in Howell. Proceeds from that event will benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, in Memphis. Beyond that, Amanda plans to participate in charitable drives during the holiday season. And after she completes that effort? "I think I'm going to continue this," she said. Amanda hopes to major in art design in college.