Lost Stuffy Project Brings Solace Amidst Tragedy

Among the tragedies a family can face after a disaster is a loss of treasured keepsakes. For children (and many adults), the loss of a beloved stuffed animal can be hard to overcome. At the same time, such objects can bring untold comfort in troubled times. That’s what inspired Randi Jaffee, a New Jersey children’s hospital employee, to found the Lost Stuffy Project.  

“I just thought these kids have lost everything,” Jaffee told USA Today, “and they don't even have any comfort item to bring them any security.”

Jaffee first began her search for replacement stuffies in January. It was after the wildfires in Los Angeles that month. She saw parents posting online about their children’s lost toys. She jumped in to help on social media. She used her accounts to search for replica toys. Strangers worldwide responded. Some bought new stuffies to donate. Others sent along identical toys from their own collections. 

Jafee saw the power of her platform. So she founded the Lost Stuffy Project. It has nearly 200,000 followers on Instagram. There, Jaffee posts pictures of children’s lost toys, like a stuffed lamb lost in the floodwaters that swept away much of Texas’ Camp Mystic earlier this month. Each post receives a flurry of responses from people hoping to help. They are often able to provide a replacement for a child in need. 

"This is how things are getting done,” Jaffee told USA Today. “We watched this happen in LA also, and it was just so inspiring to see the good of the internet and people really working together to help.”

Photo of found teddy bear courtesy @loststuffyproject on Instagram.

Thought Question: What’s something special you’ve held onto since you were little, and why does it still matter to you?