 | (Text by Pete Porter, Photos by Margaret Porter) |  |
| (Text by Pete Porter, Photos by Margaret Porter) | |
I almost missed out on this month's group write-up when, at the last minute I was able to get in touch with a group of RSVP volunteers who spend each Monday morning from 9:00 to 11:30 making stuffed toys for various needy organisations. These are the Huggie Bear Ladies although, with Easter just around the corner, they were busy making "Huggie Bunnies" when I met them at the Torrance YMCA.
 Louanna Stephen, Helen Bain, Marilyn Doty and Helen Braendlin | Six of the twelve ladies actively involved in this task are RSVP members and four of them were present around a table when I entered the room. RSVP Members Marilyn Doty, Erma Potts, Louanna Stevens and Helen Braendlin were busy stuffing a number of Huggie Bunnies with Pollifill along with Helen Bain and Mildred Sadler (who also promised me that she would be joining RSVP at the earliest oportunity). Dina Branning and Yasuko Takahashi also donate their time as RSVP volunteers but were not available on this occasion. |  Erma Potts, Milli Sadler, Louanna Stephen, Helen Bain and Helen Braendlin.. |
This activity has been in operation for the past eight years and has made and donated over 18,000 Huggie Bears, Bunnies and Cats during this time. Most of these are sent to Convalescent Homes, Police Stations, FireHouses etc. although many are also sent abroad for children as far away as Iraq, Mexico, Pakistan and even Sri Lanka. A few years ago around 800 Huggie Bears were sent to Russia for distribution amongst the many orphanages in that country.
 | The shapes are cut to a basic pattern from variously colored cotton fabrics and only require stitching and filling with Pollifill at this stage. Eye pieces and nose and mouth patches are also attached and then finishing touches are applied by YMCA coordinator, Carol Quinn, using fabric paint before the end product is wrapped and sent out to be a loving companion for some deserving youngster. With no cost for fabric or labor, the only expense is for the Pollifill stuffing, and this is paid for from the proceeds of a bazaar, held each year, where enough of these delightful "pets" are sold at a nominal cost of $8 each. |  |
This is a delightful group of ladies to be involved with, so please call the RSVP office at 320-3322 if you would like to join in their heartwarming activity.