Stuffed Animal Drive for Davis House Returns in 2025
After a successful launch in 2024, the Stuffed Animal Drive for Davis House Child Advocacy Center is back for another year. Organized by local teen Kenny Royer, the initiative collects new stuffed animals to bring comfort to children facing difficult circumstances. The 2025 drive officially begins in April in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month, highlighting the importance of supporting and protecting vulnerable children in the community.
About Davis House Child Advocacy Center
Davis House Child Advocacy Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping children who have experienced abuse by providing advocacy, forensic interviews, counseling, and trauma-informed care in a safe, supportive environment. Their mission is to reduce trauma for children and help them begin the healing process with compassion and expert care.
The center works closely with law enforcement, child protective services, medical professionals, and legal teams to ensure that children receive the resources they need while minimizing re-traumatization.
Last Year’s Impact
In its first year, the Stuffed Animal Drive for Davis House made a meaningful impact, collecting over 1,600 stuffed animals and raising more than $11,400 to support children receiving services at Davis House. These donations provided a sense of comfort to children going through difficult experiences, offering them something familiar to hold onto during a challenging time.
Beyond the numbers, the response demonstrated the power of collective generosity. Individuals, families, businesses, and local organizations came together to contribute, spreading awareness about Davis House’s mission and showing that these children are not alone.
“It feels really nice to see the overwhelming support from the community, and it makes me extremely optimistic for the future of our community’s children,” says Royer. “It shows a genuine willingness to help and confirms that what is needed is awareness because the community is willing to help.”
Why Stuffed Animals?
For children arriving at Davis House, the experience can be daunting. Many are sharing their stories for the first time, interacting with unfamiliar professionals, and processing difficult emotions. While a stuffed animal may seem like a simple gift, it can provide a sense of stability, offering a soft and comforting presence during a challenging time.
“Stuffed animals represent security and comfort for children. In many ways, they are a friend that never leaves their side and will always be there for them,” says Royer. “Davis House children going through this traumatic process have a true personal response with the stuffed animal as a bright light and sign that things will be okay.”
The need for stuffed animals continues, as Davis House supports hundreds of children each year. Each donation ensures that every child who visits receives a small but meaningful source of comfort, giving them something soothing and familiar to take with them.
Expanding the Drive in 2025
Building on last year’s momentum, Kenny Royer is determined to make the 2025 Stuffed Animal Drive even bigger, aiming to collect more donations and raise additional funds to support Davis House.
The drive officially launches on April 1st, coinciding with National Child Abuse Prevention Month—a time dedicated to raising awareness and supporting organizations that serve vulnerable children. By launching in April, Royer hopes to highlight the critical role Davis House plays in the community and inspire people to contribute.
“When I found out that some children are offered a stuffed animal for comfort, it reminded me of some of the stuffed animals I had as a child and how secure they made me feel,” Royer explains. “I thought that it would be a good idea to create a drive that both raised awareness of the issue of child abuse but also ended with the achievement of receiving enough stuffed animals for every kid to pick one of their choice.”
With strong support from individuals, families, and businesses, the goal for 2025 is not only to collect more stuffed animals but also to increase awareness about the services Davis House provides. By continuing to grow the drive, Royer hopes to make it a lasting annual tradition—one that will provide comfort to children for years to come.
“I absolutely envision continuing this drive. Awareness is a continuous thing. This drive can help Davis House expand its operations and help more and more children. The drive is about promoting Davis House and creating exposure to society’s issue of child abuse.”
How to Get Involved
The 2025 Stuffed Animal Drive offers a simple yet impactful way to support children in challenging situations. By contributing to this drive, you’re helping ensure that every child who visits Davis House Child Advocacy Center knows that they are cared for and not alone.
Any size or animal type is welcome, but stuffed animals must be new without suggestive messaging. The stuffed animal drive runs through April and donations may be mailed, drop-shipped, or delivered in person to:
WST Corporation, 200 Seaboard Lane, Franklin, TN 37067
A drop box is available seven days a week at the corner of the WST building.
“Any and every contribution, no matter how large or small, makes a difference in a child’s life that will be forever changed for the better by Davis House,” says Royer. “Thank you if you have contributed in the past, and thank you to anyone who may contribute in the future. What Davis House is doing is extremely important, and community contributions are the core driver that aids them in their operations.”
For more details on how to contribute, visit Stuffed Animals For Kids.
