How to Start a Free Community Outreach Project with Stuffed Animals

Bring a little "pet therapy" to people who are lonely or discouraged Having four children and the responsibility of raising happy children was Patricia Gallagher's life. She loved being a parent. When the kids moved away from home, she felt a void in her life. She thought there was nothing she could do about it until 11,000 stuffed animals transformed it In 2009, Philadelphia area writer Patricia Gallagher, asked her 85-year-old mother to go with her to read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" to the residents of a nursing home. She gathered colorful props to go along with the story - Christmas stockings, gingerbread ornaments, stuffed animals and brightly-colored quilts. It was so well-received that she continued the project long after the holiday season ended. "Stories for Seniors" was a simple concept that changed Patricia Gallagher's life. With the help of the readers of Craigslist, she collected more than 11,000 stuffed animals and blankets to give when she visited nursing homes, AIDS hospices and hospitals. Each stuffed animal sends a vital message to the recipient, "Someone cares." Some things you never outgrow Patricia Gallagher www.patriciausa.com Box 561, Worcester, PA 19490