Moms launch project to reunite children affected by LA fires with their stuffed animals

As wildfires continue to ravage Los Angeles County, forcing tens of thousands of families from their homes into temporary housing, two mothers have launched a unique community outreach project: reuniting displaced children with their beloved stuffed animals and blankets.

Sisters-in-law Randi Jaffe and Jenny Jaffe created the The Lost Stuffy Project, an initiative to raise funds to purchase new versions of the stuffed animals and blankets lost in the fires.

Randi Jaffe explained to Good Morning America that, although they live across the country—in New Jersey and New York—they wanted to find a concrete way to help families affected by the fires. As a child life specialist and mother of two, Randi knows how essential comfort items are for children.

“I was thinking about what we could do to help these children and families, and immediately I thought of comfort items — comforters, stuffed animals, blankets,” she said.

She added:

“These objects are crucial for children, whether they are toddlers or young adults. When a family is displaced or experiences trauma, they lose all control over their situation. Giving them this small object gives them back some of that control.”

A moment of light in dark times

For Emily Balliet, whose home in Altadena was destroyed by the fires, the project The Lost Stuffy Project brought a little light to his family during a dark time. The team gave Yves, his 4-year-old son, a new version of his favorite stuffed animal: a unicorn named Horn.

“It reminded us that there are good people in this world who genuinely want to help in specific and caring ways,” Balliet told Good Morning America.

She described her son's joy when he received the new stuffed animal, a moment they captured on video.

“He was so happy, he was running around screaming. For the first time in a long time, we smiled because we could see his happiness,” she said. “I thought, ‘Okay, everything’s going to be okay. We’re going through hell, but there’s a little light.’”

How the project works

When families contact the The Lost Stuffy Project To request a new comfort item, the Jaffes work to locate and ship the item. Donors can also purchase an item for a family in need themselves, with the help of the Jaffes, who provide the necessary connections and information sharing, with the families' consent.

However, the founders insist on the importance of making their initiative better known.

“The main need right now is to get the message out to LA families,” says Jenny Jaffe, who is also a mother of two and a real estate agent. “We are ready, with funds, to purchase and send more items.”

Comfort for all ages

The project is aimed at children of all ages, from babies and toddlers to teenagers, with the aim of providing them with items as close as possible to those they have lost.

“Being able to offer this unique, personal item, which was lost in such brutal circumstances, is a powerful gift,” concluded Randi Jaffe. “It’s what motivates us to continue.”

If you would like to support this initiative, please contact the The Lost Stuffy Project and help put a smile back on the faces of children affected by these devastating fires.

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