“I’ll love him forever”
Cozy Companions From Colorado Parishes Bring Comfort and Connection
Across Catholic Charities —from Samaritan House locations in Denver, Fort Collins and Greeley to our Catholic Charities Housing properties to our 76 ministry locations statewide—children need the same thing: to feel seen, valued and comforted.
That’s where Cozy Companions come in.
The year-found drive is a simple, meaningful way for parish communities to bring joy to the children served by Catholic Charities.
When a family arrives at Samaritan House or finds a new home at a Catholic Charities Housing property, they’re often feeling scared and uncertain. Our team has seen time and time again how one small gesture can make a huge difference: when children are invited to choose a new stuffed animal – to have, hold and keep forever – they take one step closer to feeling at home.
By donating new stuffed animals, neighbors offer a sense of belonging and peace to children navigating transitions and uncertainty. Whether they’re settling into a new apartment or adjusting to a new community, children benefit from knowing someone cares—especially when that reminder is shaped like a teddy bear or plush bunny.
During a recent delivery of Cozy Companions to Mount Loretto, one of 34 affordable housing properties at Catholic Charities, special “God Moments” unfolded as Melissa Andrade handed out the stuffed animals. One girl hugged her stuffed bear tightly and quietly said, “I’ll love him forever.” Another child, visiting her grandmother, held her new stuffed animal close and wouldn’t let it go.
It was clear: these weren’t just toys. They were powerful reminders that someone cared—reminders that matter deeply to children who’ve faced instability and change.
The verse James 1:17 came to mind for Mount Loretto Site Manager Melissa Andrade: “Every good and perfect gift is from above.”
“It fit the moment,” Melissa said. “Not because the gifts were extravagant, but because they met a real need.”
Since launching the Cozy Companion Drive, the response from our parish communities has been nothing short of incredible. Thanks to the generosity of dozens of participating parishes, hundreds of children have received comfort and care.
- St. Michael the Archangel led the way with an astounding 432 pounds of stuffed animals donated.
- Guardian Angels in Mead contributed 121 pounds (and counting).
- St. Francis of Assisi in Longmont gave 80 pounds.
- Light of the World Parish added another 200 pounds to the growing total.
Together, we’re offering children something they can hold on to – and a little hope they can carry with them.