LANSING | Each year, children at Bethel Reformed Church Vacation Bible School participate in a mission project.

Last year, they sent school supplies to children in the Dominican Republic. This year, the group created Prayer Bears to send to kids in Africa.

"I liked the project because the kids are helping other kids," said Joy Kats, coordinator for the Bible school. "They are doing something tangible instead of just bringing in money."

Kats discovered the Prayer Bear project when she received the Bible school's curriculum from Group Publishing Inc., a fixture on the Christian network. Years ago, the company partnered with nondenominational Christian organizations to develop "hands-on service projects" for kids.

The collaboration, called Operation Kid-to-Kid, creates projects for Bible school programs nationwide. After working with Group Publishing Inc. in the past, Kats had faith this year's program would be a success.

"(The project) teaches kids that there are ways for them to help other kids -- they don't have to wait until they are adults."

For $1, the kids built two bears; one to keep and one to send to an orphaned child in Central and South Africa. The bears, which have"Jesus" written on them in English, Spanish and French, also have a pocket for the kids to stick a personalized message in.

"The kids (in Africa) will have a reminder each day that people are praying for them," Kats said. "Plus, everyone loves stuffed animals."