We are a clearinghouse for stuffed animals. We take the stuffed animals that are sent to us from generous people who understand the power of a animal to comfort and encourage. After a physical exam to make sure all the eyes are secure and no unexpected rips may have appeared, we clean the animals and give them to people who work with kids who are in crisis or who need an extra boost. This can range from firefighters and policemen to homeless shelters and hospitals and even programs that help teen moms and at-risk toddlers and low-income based school districts.
We sometimes also work with school districts to distribute Reading Buddies to the youngest kids in lower-income school districts, because reading is a truly fundamental skill that needs to be encouraged. Reading Buddies are wonderful paying attention to their new friends when they are read to, and they never criticize when a reader stumbles or doesn't know a word! Some Reading Buddies stay at school, and others go home, but wherever they live, they help kids become better readers--a very lofty purpose!
We sometimes also work with school districts to distribute Reading Buddies to the youngest kids in lower-income school districts, because reading is a truly fundamental skill that needs to be encouraged. Reading Buddies are wonderful paying attention to their new friends when they are read to, and they never criticize when a reader stumbles or doesn't know a word! Some Reading Buddies stay at school, and others go home, but wherever they live, they help kids become better readers--a very lofty purpose!
