Following 12/14, when people worldwide offered solace to the community in the forms of stuffed animals, comfort pillows, and quilts, Newtown was left with a surplus of lovingly donated items. In March 2013, America Responds With Love, Inc, a national nonprofit organization, offered its assistance to help the Town of Newtown. In particular, America Responds With Love offered to help find homes for products donated, but that were not needed within Newtown or neighboring communities.

Richard McDonough, president and CEO of the organization, recently provided The Newtown Bee with an update, summarizing how the thousands of items have been distributed to date.

Stuffed animals and comfort pillows were provided for 11 programs that serve people in need in Aurora, Colo., including programs for domestic violence victims, mental health and other health care providers, and other social service organizations.

The Camden (N.J.) Police Department received stuffed animals for its Toys For Tears program.

Stuffed animals and comfort pillows were distributed to people in need in Cañon City, Colo., including crime victims, fire victims, and others.

Delaware Victims’ Rights Task Force, Dover, was given stuffed animals for its victim services program.

The Summer Reading Buddy Program at East End Elementary School, North Plainfield, N.J., received stuffed animals.

The FBI, Philadelphia Division, received stuffed animals for the victim services program.

In Holt, Ala., stuffed animals and comfort pillows were distributed to help domestic violence victims and children in need.

Stuffed animals and comfort pillows to be given to motor vehicle accident victims, crime victims, and others in need were given to the Horsham (Penn.) Police Department.

The Howell (N.J.) Police Department was the recipient of stuffed animals for children in need.

The Keansburg Beach Police Department, Keansburg, N.J., was given stuffed animals to help crime victims and others in need.

Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch, N.J., received stuffed animals for children’s programs.

Montgomery County Court Child Care, Norristown, Penn., received stuffed animals and comfort pillows for children in need.

Stuffed animals for people in need were provided to the New York City Police Department in The Bronx.

North Plainfield Library of Somerset County Library System, North Plainfield, N.J., was given stuffed animals for the summer reading program.

Stuffed animals for motor vehicle accident victims, domestic violence victims, victims of other crimes, and others in need went to the Shrewsbury (N.J.) Police Department.

The Stony Brook School, North Plainfield, N.J., was pleased to receive stuffed animals for the summer reading program.

In Tuscaloosa, Ala., domestic violence victims and children in need received stuffed animals and comfort pillows to help.

The Union Beach (N.J.) Police Department received stuffed animals to help crime victims and others in need.

Volunteers of America Delaware Valley in Camden, N.J., was provided with stuffed animals for family shelter programs.

Stuffed animals for the summer reading program went to the West End Elementary School, North Plainfield, N.J.

The Wilmington (Del.) Police Department was given stuffed animals to distribute within the victim services program and for people in need.

A note from East End Elementary School first grade teacher Kitty Jedra, in North Plainfield, N.J., is representative of the many thank you letters received by America Responds With Love. The letter reads in part, “On behalf of East End Elementary School and its 500 students, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for all the amazing stuffed animals donated to our school by your organization, America Responds With Love. Each and every one of these stuffed animals was clearly hand selected with love to help comfort and heal a child who is going through an extremely difficult time.”

“We are pleased to be able to help the Town of Newtown find ways to utilize the stuffed animals and comfort pillows donated in the wake of the tragedy,” said Mr Richard McDonough.