Texas Toy Company Sends Love to Kids in Greenwich Domestic Violence Shelter

Domestic violence shelters often experience an influx of families during the holiday season. Children arrive with terrified moms looking for a respite from their troubles and violence at home.

“Sometimes, the first concern many children express to their moms as they acclimate to their temporary shelter is ‘Mom, how will Santa find us?,” says Jane Guinn, founder of Stickman Stew LLC, a Rockport, Texas maker of a line of plush stick figures called STICKMAN STEW® and THE GOLD HEART CREW.™

That’s why Guinn’s company decided to donate toys to YWCA Greenwich Domestic Abuse Services—the sole licensed provider of domestic abuse services in the community—as well as to the Domestic Violence Crisis Center in Stamford, serving the cities and towns of Stamford, Norwalk, Westport, New Canaan, Darien, Wilton and Weston.

“Our Director of Marketing lived for years in Connecticut and wanted to help the kids there,” said Guinn. “Children in families where there’s been violence are often the forgotten ones. We wanted to do something to brighten their lives. After all, that’s what the holiday season is all about.”

According to the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence, more than 56,000 individuals received services from its 18 member domestic violence agencies between July 2012 and June 2013. More than 2,000 victims of domestic violence received safe home or emergency shelter services.

Adjusting to life in a shelter, even if it’s just for a few days, can be a challenge for everyone, and children in particular. “Every change can be scary and traumatic for a child,” said Meredith Gold, Manager of YWCA Greenwich Domestic Abuse Services. “They are leaving their family, home, pet, friends.”

To comfort the children at holiday time and throughout the year, the YWCA gives each child a bag filled with fun items such as a coloring book, a Beanie Baby and more. “That’s why Stickman Stew toys are perfect,” Gold said. “Not only are they adorable—really, really cute—but they are lightweight, can be bent into various shapes, and are easy to fit in the bag.”

Each of the plush characters is emblazoned with a golden heart and comes with a tag that encourages the importance of respecting life, each other, oneself and the world in which we live.

Stickman Stew toys are based on the iconic stick-like figures that stone age men and women drew in caves 20,000 years ago and kids still draw today. “Parents like our toys because they don’t require batteries,”said Guinn. “They’re powered by a kid’s imagination.

In addition to Connecticut’s domestic abuse shelters, the company has donated toys to 34 charities across the U.S. that help children who are homeless, in shelters and hospitals, as well as those who have a parent serving overseas or whose families can’t afford to give presents this season. As part of its “Spirit of Christmas” program, the company hopes to give away 5,000 more toys before its December 24 deadline.

For every bought online at stickman stew.com, the company will donate a second toy to one of its partner charities. The buyer’s choice of non-profit organization to receive the donation is specified during the checkout process.

If you want to help the “Spirit of Christmas” campaign, or learn more about Stickman Stew’s mission of giving, go to www. stickmanstew.com