5th Graders Donate Stuffed Animals

Fifth grade students at Bay Laurel Elementary donated stuffed animals this week to benefit the Stuffed Animals for Emergencies organization, a national nonprofit. Las Virgenes Unified susbtitute teacher Andrea Meichelbock shares with Patch in a letter her experience in helping to organize the drive with students.

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Today I met with Dave, the local coordinator for SAFE the organization we are donating the stuffed animals to for distribution. At the car we finalized the three local organizations our drive will benefit, the Edmund Edelman Children’s Count in Monterey Park, the Union Rescue Mission in Downtown Los Angeles, and the Toy Loan Program through Los Angeles County Department of Social Services.  We chose these organizations because we knew the children would be grateful for a snuggle friend in times of stress and uncertainly.

I could not have expected what happened next as I showed Dave our collection.  Dave was speechless and consumed with joy. According to Dave, this was by far the biggest collection he had ever seen and especially at this time of year. He was on the verge of tears at the amount of love and kindness those bags and bags of stuffed animals represented. 

Dave received a phone call from three Los Angeles Unified Elementary school principals last Friday asking for stuffed animals to give to their students. These are students who ordinarily do not have holiday gifts. Unsure of our donation he told the schools maybe, but was not hopeful. “Your school just saved Christmas for thousands of students," he said while wiping back tears.

As one of the co-chairs for this event I am overwhelmed and so proud of our 5th graders and school community for collecting thousands of animals.  The support our school has shown is unbelievable. 

The collection exceeded my expectations and because of it local elementary students are getting a Christmas gift in addition to the hundreds who are part of social services. We are giving thousands of children something to smile about this holiday season and for that my heart is filled with joy, love, and happiness.

-- Andrea Meichelbock