The El Dorado County Sheriff's Office will honor a woman who has brought much comfort to local children in need Thursday. 

Joan Coffin, who has been donating "comfort bears" to the California High Patrol office for many years, will be recognized by the Sheriff's Office during a welcoming ceremony for new hires and those receiving promotions. Coffin will donate about 50 of her bears to the sheriff's office during the ceremony. 

The soft, squeezable bears are given to children who may find themselves in a scary or stressful situation that calls for the aid of law enforcement or emergency personnel. 

"We at the Sheriff’s Office would like to thank Joan for allowing us to carry her special gift in our patrol cars or have available at our offices. They will truly comfort kids when they need it the most," said Sheriff's Lt. Tom Murdoch.

According to Murdoch, Coffin also hopes to provide her bears to local fire departments to bring along on emergency calls. 

INFORMATION COURTESY OF THE EL DORADO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE