For many children, a stuffed animal is more than a toy. It’s a companion at bedtime, a source of comfort during difficult moments and a familiar friend when life feels uncertain.
This summer, children at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Fort Collins shared that comfort with other children.
During Vacation Bible School, students participated in the Catholic Charities Cozy Companion Drive, collecting enough stuffed animals to fill two vehicles. The donations will support children whose families are connected to Catholic Charities ministries throughout Northern Colorado.
For children experiencing homelessness, housing instability or financial hardship, uncertainty can be especially difficult. While adults often focus on meeting basic needs such as shelter, food and safety, children are also navigating changes to routines, schools, friendships and familiar surroundings. A stuffed animal cannot solve those challenges, but it can provide comfort, consistency and a sense of security during an uncertain time.
The donated stuffed animals will be available to children at Samaritan House Fort Collins and Samaritan House Greeley, shelters serving women and families experiencing homelessness. They will also support families connected to Marisol Health Northern Colorado, which provides life-affirming, holistic women’s health care, and Marisol Family St. Joseph, which offers material assistance, including diapers, wipes and formula, along with referrals and support for families with young children.
Volunteer and Community Engagement Supervisor Bethany Rankin and Director of Parish Engagement Deacon AJ Misiti attended the closing ceremony to share how the donations will help local children.
Deacon AJ told students about a young child at another parish who eagerly donated every stuffed animal he owned to a Cozy Companion drive. As the event ended, he realized he would be leaving without any of his beloved companions and began to cry. Ultimately, he took his favorite stuffed animal home, but his willingness to give away everything he had left a lasting impression.
That same generosity was on display at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.
Debby Gavato, director of family formation and youth ministry, shared the story of one student who carried her favorite Squishmallow throughout the day. She told others she planned to donate it at the end of the week. Instead, she decided to donate it on the very first day.
For a child, giving away a favorite stuffed animal is no small sacrifice.
Each donation represents a child choosing to comfort another child. Soon, those stuffed animals will be in the hands of children facing uncertainty, offering a small reminder that they are seen, cared for and loved.
If you would like to organize a Cozy Companion Drive for your parish, school or neighborhood, please contact parish@ccdenver.org or visit https://ccdenver.org/donation-drives/ and we will make it easy to get started.