- April 24, 2024
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AdventHealth Daytona Beach was the recipient of almost 250 Scentsy Buddies on Monday, Dec. 20, thanks to a donation by two local women aiming to make a difference in the community, one plush toy at a time.
Scentsy Buddies are stuffed animal toys made by the Scentsy company, which utilizes a consultant-based business model in the United States. The toys are scented to help calm children who are admitted into the hospital. Camila Forester, a Scentsy superstar director, and Theresa Morrison, a Scentsy director, have teamed up for the past six years to donate the scented toys to local AdventHealth and Halifax Health hospitals.
“I think generosity is such an important thing within a community, to show people how they can give back," Forester said. "I think a lot of times when we look at everything that’s going on in the world, it’s really easy to see all of the dark, and it’s hard to pick through with a fine-tooth comb and find the light.”
The pair usually begins the donation drive in early September, but this year they ran a bit behind schedule, having began their efforts just after Thanksgiving. Still, they were able to provide 246 Scentsy Buddies to AdventHealth Daytona Beach.
“I feel like it was so magical that, even though we were behind on our regular schedule that we’ve done for the past six years, all we had to say is ‘Hey, we’re doing this,’ and … the community really showed up," Forester said.
Morrison, who is also an academic coach at Orange City Elementary, said they receive messages throughout the year from parents expressing their gratitude. When a child is admitted, the last thing on many parents' minds might be providing them with a toy and that's where Morrison and Forester are happy to help. Both women also make sure their children are able to take part in order for them to understand what it means to give back.
“Even last year with COVID, the amount that we got last year with everything going on and people being short on money and not working, and we were still able to do it," Morrison said. "They really believe in it.”
Becky Vernon, director of women's and children's services at AdventHealth Daytona Beach, said the Scentsy Buddies help to brighten a child's day. It's exciting to see their faces light up when they receive the toys, Vernon added. Any child admitted into the hospital will receive one until none are left, thanks to the partnership.
“It’s important because we build that connection and the donations really are something special for our kids and for the department," Vernon said.
