A stuffed animal toy can be a real comfort and friend to a frightened child.  In honor of her daughter, Ana, Lori Hertel, Hays,  continues the annual stuffed animal drive “Ana’s Gift:  Returning Children’s Smiles” started by Ana herself.

Ana was born with a rare neurological disorder and later developed a spinal cord injury.  She was often hospitalized or rushed to the emergency room where the gift of a stuffed animal to hug also calmed her.

Anna began collecting stuffed animals for other children, but died February 11, 2010, shortly after starting the campaign.  Now her family continues it in her memory.

The cuddly toys are distributed to Ellis County First Responders and the Hays Med Emergency Room, who give them to  children they meet in traumatic situations.

Volunteers from the Hays Fire and Police Departments, Ellis County Sheriff and Emergency Medical Services, and the Kansas Highway Patrol spent Saturday afternoon collecting barrels full of new stuffed animals donated by customers at Wal-Mart and the Hays Mall.