By: Mira Costello
Editor-in-Chief

You’re never too old to enjoy a hug from a stuffed animal, but if you’re ready to give a new home to a few of your plush friends, look no further than the Student Social Work Association. Through Sept. 30, SSWA is accepting new and gently used stuffed animals in their donation boxes around campus.

SSWA President Jamie Zheng said the donations were originally slated to go to the St. Joseph County Police Department, but will now be sent to police departments across the state and given to children at police stations dealing with difficult or traumatic events.

“It’s to help them with communication and emotional support,” she said.

While Zheng will be focused on her Master of Social Work next year, she said she hopes the unique drive becomes an annual event. 

“If the police department does this again next year, I’m hoping that we can continue to help them out with it, because so far we have collected so many stuffed animals,” she said, estimating that the drive has already brought in around 70 plush toys, filling an entire corner of Bachelor of Social Work Director Elena Mrozinske’s office. 

Many donations, though, have come from sources outside of IU South Bend, ranging from individuals in the South Bend community to donors from the Boys and Girls Club, where Zheng is working on her BSW internship. There are only a few days left to donate, so check your basements and closets; if you have children or were once a child, you might find something to give.

The SSWA looks forward to other events this semester, including a trunk-or-treat event at Mishawaka High School next month, a Thanksgiving food drive in November and a social work student holiday social in December. 

For more information about the club, check out the SSWA Titan Atlas page.