In the best and worst of times, children take comfort in the love and reassurance that a bear or other stuffed animal provides when it seems like no one else cares.

Stuffed animals and toys collected in North America are distributed through local ministries to children living in orphanages or children from destitute families. The stuffed animal is more than a simple gift, it is a reminder to the Ukrainian children that they are loved by people from North America and more importantly, by God.

The Calgary Stampede initiated a recycling program in many areas, including unwanted plush toys. Donation bins were set up at the midway entrances/exits for plush toys that were won. In July of 2008 the Calgary Stampede was very generous in providing HART with the majority (approximately 600) of the plush toys that were donated. These toys were sent to children living in orphanages and children from destitute families throughout western Ukraine. Not only were the children grateful for the gift, but the parents were thankful for North Americans remembering them.

HART was approached this year by the Calgary Stampede to collect 100% of the donated plush toys from the midway. The Stampede has since come and gone, and HART was able to send approximately 1500 stuffed toys to children living in orphanages and children from destitute families. The oversized toys (too large for shipping) were donated to a local children’s charity.

Thank you to the individuals who provided love to a child in Ukraine by donating their midway toy. Thank you also to the Calgary Stampede for providing HART with the opportunity to collect ALL of the donated toys. We look forward to seeing the toys arrive in Ukraine and be delivered to children in a few weeks.