The Lost Stuffy Project has had a tangible positive effect in Texas. This local nonprofit has been working since the July 4 cataclysmic flash floods to get kids back together with their favorite stuffed pals. New Jersey-based child life specialist Randi Jaffe created the project. Beginning in January as the LA Lost Stuffy Project to provide relief after a series of catastrophic wildfires swept through the state.
Since its founding the organization has expanded well beyond the borders of California. Today, it works purposefully to help families affected by disasters across the country, including Texas. As of Jaffe’s writing, since Sunday about 15 families had reached out to the Lost Stuffy Project. They’ve turned to the internet for assistance in locating their runaway stuffed toys.
“There have been probably about 15 families that we’ve gotten requests from,” – Randi Jaffe
The Lost Stuffy Project partners with Budsies, creators of plush custom keepsakes. Budsies generously donates its services to produce replicas of toys that are otherwise difficult to find. This collaboration enables the organization to provide comfort to children who have experienced trauma by replacing beloved items left behind during evacuations.
Families have testified to moving reunions with their newly received replicas. As one family described their experience, their child jumped and cried “tears of joy!” after being reunited with their favorite toy. One other family thanked us because their child was able to start sleeping again after we returned a beloved stuffed animal.
“Some of them are looking for stuffed animals that they left behind in their cabins or they were separated from during their rescue,” – Randi Jaffe
The reach of the Lost Stuffy Project goes beyond simply replacing lost toys. Most emotional of all, one family requested a duplicate of their daughter’s favorite stuffed animal. They asked that it be allowed to travel with her casket at the funeral. Examples like these put the focus on how necessary these toys are in giving kids comfort when they need it the most.
“In one case, it was to place on the casket at [the girl’s] funeral tomorrow,” – Randi Jaffe
Jaffe underscored the importance of the moment. In return, they are committed to sending all express shipping too, ensuring the kids get their toys as quickly as possible.
“We are paying for express shipping, overnight shipping. [The sooner] we can get these into these kids’ hands, the better,” – Randi Jaffe
Join Lost Stuffy Project’s mission to help track down all the lost stuffies and return them to the children who miss them. It aims to educate and engage with more families in need. Jaffe expressed hope that increased exposure will allow the organization to assist an even greater number of families affected by traumatic experiences.
“We’re hoping, with all of this exposure, that it’s going to grow more and more, because of course, we have so many more families to help,” – Randi Jaffe
