Donations of teddy bears and crayons from Newport News Shipbuilding will help comfort families experiencing difficult circumstances. NNS made the donations in August to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Norfolk and Transitions Family Violence Services.

The local Ronald McDonald House provides housing for families while their child is receiving care at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital or Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters. Transitions Family Violence Services is a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating domestic violence in Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson and York County.

Vickie Kennedy, assistant director of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Norfolk, said the donations will help “uplift” families dealing with a hospitalized child.

“Anytime you have a child in the hospital, it is stressful. The Ronald McDonald House provides a place for them to stay to be close to their children. Our motto is to keep families close,” she said.