EDMONDS — An Edmonds man who has helped collect thousands of stuffed animals for children of disaster-ravaged families is at it again.
Bill Brayer, president of MS Helping Hands of Edmonds, is gathering new and gently used stuffed animals to distribute to children of low-income families in Snohomish County.
The stuffed animals are planned to be given to churches and orphanages to be placed in Easter baskets for kids.
In 2005, in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita on the Gulf Coast, MS Helping Hands sent more than 22,000 stuffed animals to child survivors. He collected more toys last year for children in central Florida, an area that was ravaged by tornadoes.
MS Helping Hands is a nonprofit organization that provides assistance to people who have multiple sclerosis. The nonprofit’s Donor Closet program refurbishes used wheelchairs, walkers, scooters and other pieces of equipment for those who need them.
Here is an interview with Brayer:
Q: How many stuffed animals have you collected so far?
A: Right now, I would say I probably have somewhere between 3,500 and 4,000 that I’ve collected, and many of them are brand new.
Q: Why Easter?
A: There are so many children’s programs for Christmas, so we decided to go for Easter.
Q: How many stuffed animals did you collect last year?
A: We had close to 55,000 of them last year. Last year, most of them were recycled and new ones. So far this year, I’ve gotten a lot of brand new ones that people have given us.
Q: Do you still welcome used toys?
A: Yes, if they’re in good, clean condition and not torn or ratty or anything. We don’t want anything that’s tacky-looking or used.
Q: Why is this important?
A: They’re going to kids, to children, who often are neglected and in most cases are in poor families that are doing good just to have food on the table and to pay medical bills and rent. The kids might get one item for Christmas. In this case, they’ll get a basket with some candy with a stuffed animal in it. We’ve got to remember the kids.
Reporter Scott Pesznecker: 425-339-3436 or spesznecker@heraldnet.com.
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