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Northvale Scouts Collecting Stuffed Animals For Kids In Crisis

NORTHVALE, N.J. — Northvale Girl Scouts will collect stuffed animals from the public Friday night.

Isabella Alvarez, right, asks a stuffed animal donor if she realizes she donated two of the same animal. "Are you sure you don't want to keep on?" she asks. Ally Manteiga looks on.

Isabella Alvarez, right, asks a stuffed animal donor if she realizes she donated two of the same animal. "Are you sure you don't want to keep on?" she asks. Ally Manteiga looks on.

 Photo Credit: Lorraine Ash
Sorting through donated stuffed animals in Northvale are, from the left, Isabella Alvarez, Julia Langone and Ally Manteiga. Amanda Saiz, 8, dropped by to donate some of her stuffed animals.

Sorting through donated stuffed animals in Northvale are, from the left, Isabella Alvarez, Julia Langone and Ally Manteiga. Amanda Saiz, 8, dropped by to donate some of her stuffed animals.

 Photo Credit: Lorraine Ash
Adding to the growing stuffed animal collection are Julia Langone, left, and Isabella Alvarez.

Adding to the growing stuffed animal collection are Julia Langone, left, and Isabella Alvarez.

 Photo Credit: Lorraine Ash
Lorraine Ash

Ultimately, the animals will go to kids in distress.

“Dropping off their toys is emotional for some of the little kids,” said Ally Manteiga, 12, who belongs to 6th Grade Cadette Troop 97074.

“Hopefully, they really understand the animals are going to other kids who need it more than they do.”

She spoke at the Wednesday night collection.

Others in the troop are Julia Langone, 12, and Isabella Alvarez, 11.

Fire departments and ambulance corps in Norwood, Northvale, Old Tappan and Harrington Park will each get a bag of stuffed animals, explained Lori Langone, parent.

“They are calming for children who are going through a time of distress or emergency and can’t get to their own stuffed animals,” she explained.

The remainder will be donated to the New Jersey chapter of Stuffed Animals For Emergencies (SAFE), according to Jannet Manteiga, one of the troop leaders.

SAFE, which distributes the animals worldwide, was founded by Cammie Sanders, 2002 Ms. Florida US Continental.

The scouts will accept new and gently used stuffed animals 6-8 Friday night at the Northvale Centennial Museum, located behind the American Legion at 190 Paris Ave.

All animals are welcome with the exception of those stuffed with beads or those with hard parts.

For more information, email acujannet@gmail.com.

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