Stuffed Animal Drive for Davis House Child Advocacy Center Returns for Child Abuse Prevention Month
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and in Williamson County, a local initiative is returning with a simple goal: providing comfort to children during difficult moments.
The Stuffed Animal Drive for Davis House Child Advocacy Center is back for 2026, marking the third year of the drive led by Kenny Royer. The drive collects new stuffed animals for children receiving services at Davis House, offering something familiar in an unfamiliar setting.
The idea for the drive came from a personal place, rooted in Royer’s desire to provide comfort to children facing difficult situations.
“I was inspired to start the stuffed animal drive after learning about the impact of child abuse and wanting to support an organization like Davis House,” Royer says. “Their stuffed animal process, to me, is one of the most special and endearing aspects of Davis House. The only avenue in which Davis House receives stuffed animals is by chance donations or having to purchase them. Realizing this, I wanted to create a stuffed animal drive that everyone would know about and could contribute to.”
About Davis House Child Advocacy Center
While the Stuffed Animal Drive focuses on comfort, it connects directly to the work happening every day at Davis House.
In Williamson County, Davis House Child Advocacy Center serves as the county’s designated child advocacy center, working with law enforcement, the Department of Children’s Services, and the District Attorney’s office when abuse is reported.
One of the most important steps in that process is the forensic interview, conducted in a setting designed to help children feel safe while sharing their experiences. The interview is recorded so it can be used throughout the investigation and legal process, helping reduce the need for children to repeat their story.
From there, Davis House continues to support both children and their families, offering trauma-focused therapy, advocacy, and guidance through each stage of the process. That support can last weeks, months, or longer, depending on what each child needs to begin healing.
“Davis House is a beacon of hope for hundreds of children in our area whose everyday life is an inconceivable struggle with abuse. Every child is innocent and needs our help,” says Kenny.
Learn more about what Davis House Child Advocacy Center does here.
Why Stuffed Animals Matter
For children navigating difficult situations, comfort items can provide a sense of stability. A stuffed animal offers something personal and entirely their own during a stressful time.
Each child who visits Davis House is able to choose a stuffed animal to take with them, giving them something to hold onto both in the moment and afterward.
“We always say, ‘Be a kid again. Pick out a stuffed animal,’” said Carolyn Evans, Executive Director of Davis House. “They’re often surprised they get to keep it. It’s something positive to hold onto after something so difficult.”
“Having the stuffed animals go directly to the children is important because it creates a connection between donors and the children Davis House serves,” Royer says. “It helps people understand exactly where their donations are going and makes the cause feel more immediate. That kind of clarity can motivate more people to get involved.”
Davis House Relies on Local Giving
Although child advocacy centers are required by law, funding covers only a portion of what it takes to operate. State and federal support remains limited, leaving gaps in critical services like therapy, training, and family support.
That means many of the services families rely on are made possible through local giving.
“Our goal is that no child ever waits for help,” Evans said. “And we rely on the community to make that possible. We’ve served thousands of children, but there’s still more work to do.”
Financial contributions help fund counseling, advocacy, and ongoing care for children and families. This support often continues long after a child’s initial visit.
This year, monetary donations made in April will go even further thanks to a matching donor, effectively doubling the impact.
Awareness is also a challenge, as many people are unfamiliar with Davis House and the services it provides. Efforts like the Stuffed Animal Drive help address both needs by offering immediate comfort to children while also bringing attention to the organization’s work.
How You Can Help
There are several ways to contribute to Davis House and this year’s Stuffed Animal Drive.
Stuffed animal donations must be new, and any size or type is welcome, as long as they do not include suggestive or inappropriate messaging.
Drop-Off or Mail Stuffed Animal Donations:
- Collection box located outside Davis House Child Advocacy Center
140 SE Pkwy Ct, Franklin, TN 37064
Make a Monetary Donation:
- Financial contributions help fund counseling, advocacy, and other services for children and families. Donations made in April will be matched, doubling the impact. Make a financial donation here.
Every contribution helps provide comfort and care to children receiving services at Davis House.
“Thank you for taking the time to learn about Davis House,” Royer says. “It is an organization doing important work for children in our community. If you are thinking about donating, any amount helps. The goal is to help as many children as possible, and every contribution makes a difference.”
A Growing Effort with Lasting Impact
Since launching in 2024, the Stuffed Animal Drive has gained steady participation across Williamson County. Individuals, families, and local businesses have contributed, helping expand the drive each year.
In 2025, the drive collected hundreds of stuffed animals and raised over $12,000 to support Davis House and the children it serves. For Royer, the response has been one of the most meaningful parts of the experience.
“The amount of support for the cause has been refreshing,” Royer says. “It shows how much people care about issues like child abuse, even if they are not always sure how to help. Creating a campaign that is visible and easy to participate in has revealed just how much generosity and empathy there is in this community. It gives me a lot of hope for the future.”
Carolyn Evans notes that while the organization has received stuffed animal donations in the past, this is the first student-led drive during her tenure.
“Kenny is doing an amazing job, and it is such a special thing to see a kid advocating for kids,” she says. “His gentle spirit and strong dedication are wonderful to see and give me hope for this next generation.”
What began as a local effort has become an annual part of Child Abuse Prevention Month in Williamson County. As the drive continues to grow, the goal remains the same: to ensure every child who comes to Davis House is met with care, compassion, and a small source of comfort they can take with them.
