Collection Drive Seeks Stuffed Toy Animals

The Topanga Plaza shopping center will team up with the local branch of an international charity Sunday to collect stuffed toy animals for abused and neglected children in Los Angeles.

The benefit is part of a joint program known as Teddy Bear Patrol, which is administered by NA’ AMAT USA and the Los Angeles County Department of Social Services. In the past two years, Teddy Bear Patrol has distributed nearly 10,000 stuffed animals to children who have been removed from their homes by the county, said Miriam Hearn, the organization’s western region director.

NA’ AMAT is a Hebrew acronym for Movement of Working Women and Volunteers. The organization assists Israeli families and also works with local agencies in the United States and other countries.

NA’ AMAT volunteers will be stationed from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Sunday in Topanga Plaza, where they will accept donations of new or “gently loved” stuffed animals.

Hanukkah crafts will be available for children, and the Children’s Choir of the West Valley Hebrew Academy will present a Hanukkah concert at 3 p.m. to be followed by the lighting of a menorah.

For more information, call NA’ AMAT at (818) 981-1298.