Group reunites Texas flood victims with lost stuffed toys: See how to help

USA Today

10-07-2025

On top of families losing homes or loved ones to the devastating July 4 central Texas flooding, many children also lost their stuffed animals, dolls, action figures and other emotional support items.
Last week's flash flooding has killed at least 120 people in Kerr County, including 36 children, and more than 160 others are still missing. Among the victims were 27 children and counselors at Camp Mystic, a Christian girls' camp that sits along the Guadalupe River, located about 60 miles northwest of San Antonio.
Images of the aftermath of the deadly flooding at Camp Mystic show campers' damaged belongings, including pink blankets and plush toys, sprawled across the devastation and covered with mud.
The Lost Stuffy Project, a grassroots organization, is working to replace the irreplaceable by reuniting children affected by the flood with replicas of their beloved, and now lost, items they never thought they'd see again. Victims can submit a description and photo of their child's lost item through a request form, and the group will ship a replica in stitch and clean condition.
At least five replicas of beloved items belonging to Camp Mystic campers have been shipped, and the group is also supporting families impacted by the flooding, according to Lost Stuffy Project Founder Randi Jaffee.
"We are obviously devastated to have this opportunity, but it is a beautiful thing that people are helping us do," Jaffee told USA TODAY.
Project founded after LA wildfires earlier this year
As a child life specialist at a New Jersey children's hospital, Jaffee understands the comfort and sense of security these items give youth.
The idea for the project originated from seeing the destruction of the Los Angeles County wildfires at the start of 2025, Jaffee said. She thought about what items she would grab if her house were on fire and decided on her 3-year-old's small stuffed cheetah.
"There was no way I'd be able to find a replacement. There was no brand or tag," Jaffee said. "And I just thought these kids have lost everything, and they don't even have any comfort item to bring them any security."
With the help of strangers online, Jaffee managed to find replicas for multiple children impacted by the wildfires. While some requests required a simple Amazon order, the majority were unique, older items that required an in-depth search to find.
With the help of a stranger across the country, Jaffee said the group successfully tracked down a 30-year-old stuffed bunny from a Gap store that a young girl in California had lost.
Lost Stuffy Project finds, sends replicas for funerals
The California wildfires inspired the Lost Stuffy Project, but the Texas floods have proven to be a far more nuanced situation, Jaffee said.
She explained that one of their clients was a family member of a girl who died at Camp Mystic, hoping to replace a Jellycat plush to place on top of her coffin. While the item was out of stock, the team refused to give up and was later contacted by a woman who owned the exact item and was willing to donate it in time for the family's funeral in Houston on Friday.
"The person that had it just thanked me profusely for allowing her the opportunity to do this. That's something she will carry with her for the rest of her life," Jaffee said.
Jaffee said it was gut-wrenching to have received three different inquiries for stuffed animals that belonged to girls killed at Camp Mystic.
"But to be able to be this positive small piece of the story is really just something I feel so grateful about," she added.
How you can support the Lost Stuffy Project
The best way to support is by visiting their Instagram page, which posts daily updates about items they are looking for. On Thursday, July 10, the group asked the public to help locate a specific stuffed Alf toy that was lost in the flooding, as well as a stuffed Jellycat lamb.
A post shared by Lost Stuffy Project (@loststuffyproject)
Jaffee said she is in awe of the collaboration from strangers across the country, who have been scouring the internet or their garages to find lost items.
The group also raised $9,000 earlier this year to develop an emergency financial assistance program to help families fulfill their Amazon wish lists after natural disasters.
Aside from the stuffed animal searches, the Lost Stuffy Project also supports schools and community centers. Among the organizations they've helped was a California residential facility that houses children and adults with developmental disabilities. Jaffee said they were able to supply new iPads after the center lost everything during the flooding.
"This is how things are getting done. We watched this happen in LA also, and it was just so inspiring to see the good of the internet and people really working together to help," she said.