MANNFORD, Okla. — On Monday, Mannford Public Library posted on Facebook saying it was collecting stuffed animals to give to kids impacted by recent wildfires.
Colleen Branson, the director of the library, said she thought of the idea while coming into work.
“I was thinking about the families who come in the library and a lot of times the children would have a stuffed animal with them and I was thinking about the families who don’t have homes anymore and the kids might need something to love on,” said Branson.
Within days, the library had tables and bins full of stuffed animals. Branson said she was not expecting so many donations.
“It was a very pleasant surprise, very pleasant. We’ve had people come in from way out of town bring bags,” said Branson.
She says for kids who have lost so much, each donated stuffed animal serves as a small but meaningful source of comfort.
“Just knowing that the kids may have had to leave with nothing in their hands and it’s going to be hard enough for them,” said Branson.
Branson said when she started the drive she had one family in mind who lost their home in the fires.
“They were at the park and they had come in just to take a break from the park and a child adopted a stuffy and had been playing with it all day,” said Branson.
The library has taken some of the stuffed animals to First Baptist Church Mannford. Kids can adopt a new stuffed animal at the library or church.
Branson says any animal that isn’t adopted will be given to local first responders.
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