Most 12-year-olds are collecting stuffed animals for themselves. Sadie is giving them a second life. After learning that children affected by home fires often lose the things that bring them comfort, Sadie decided to help. She rescues worn-out stuffed animals from thrift stores, carefully restores them by hand and donates them to @​RedCross NC to be shared with children recovering from disasters. When local Red Cross volunteers needed more comfort items for children affected by disasters, Disaster Program Specialist Jon McCollum turned to the community for help. That’s when Sadie answered the call. "Hearing the stories was heartbreaking," Sadie said. "That's why I did it." Since then, she has donated 114 restored stuffed animals, helping bring comfort to children on some of their hardest days. What started as a simple act of kindness has become an ongoing family project. Sadie continues to restore and donate stuffed animals for children affected by disasters and hopes her story inspires other young people to make a difference in their own communities. In recognition of her efforts, Jon and fellow volunteers recently presented Sadie with the Young Humanitarian Award at the Central Surry Volunteer Fire Department. Let’s give it up for Sadie! Join us in celebrating her kindness and thanking her for helping children feel a little less alone after a disaster. 💛