12-05-2025
Stuffed animal left on vacation returns to metro girl's arms
SHAWNEE, Kan. — One Kansas City metro girl's prized possession was recently left behind while her family was on vacation in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. Thanks to her aunt and uncle, along with a little luck, she's now got her stuffed giraffe back at home.
Annabelle's giraffe even has her name on the front. As it goes with her everywhere, you can imagine the devastation when she found out she'd left it behind.
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'We were on our way home on the airplane, and I literally had that home alone moment on the plane. And I was like, Oh my gosh, where is giraffe?' said her mother, Natalie Vigder.
To Annabelle's dismay, her friend for life was left behind.
'Annabel was so upset, disappointed and sad, crying on the airplane. As soon as I told her, I didn't think I had giraffe,' Vigder continued.
Natalie posted in a Facebook group for the resort they had stayed at. Thursday night, it popped up on one woman's feed, who had family staying at the resort.
'And I'm like, 'Oh my goodness, we can make this reunion happen,'' said Tiffany Morche-Larue.
Tiffany's aunt and uncle would then pick up the giraffe from the resort, as it would've cost hundreds to get it back to Annabelle.
'I know how important little stuffies can be for kids, and we wanted to be able to make the reunion happen,' said Sandy Allen.
Not only did Sandy bring the giraffe back, but she also documented the entire journey.
'She would post some of the pictures that I had that I feel like we got to really make a big deal out of this so that Annabel can see every place that her giraffe went,' Allen said.
For Annabelle's mom, it's an act of kindness she'll never forget.
'While we've been a little emotional a few times over the past week, and I just owe her my daughter's happiness,' she said.
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Allen says it was a chance to show kindness to complete strangers.
'Make a difference in someone's life instead of all the evil that's out there. Be some of the good things that are happening in this world,' she said.
Despite having a great time on the detour back to Annabelle's arms, Giraffe is on the way back to Annebelle Monday morning.
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