Blanket trader-Whittier woman seeks stuffed toys, blankets for children

News comes from: Visional textile(Ningbo)industrial corp

        WHITTIER - Jean Wall hopes people will again be in a giving mood.

        She wants to collect 100 new stuffed toys and 50 blankets to be put in patrol cars of Santa Fe Springs California Highway Patrol officers and deputies from the sheriff's Norwalk Station.

        Officers and deputies who roll to a collision where children are involved can then offer the youngsters some comfort in the form of a stuffed animal or Carved blankets

        Wall and Angel Cabral, who live in the unincorporated county area of Whittier, came up with the idea two years ago.

        "I'm thankful for all the ones I got before. They did a lot of happiness," Wall said.

        But the cupboards are bare right now. Wall points out that officers go through the toys quickly, hence the current toy and Silk Blankets drive.

        If there are any extra toys donated, Wall says these will go to a local tow truck company that wanted to participate in the program.

        Capt. Pat Maxwell of the sheriff's Norwalk Station said all cars that patrol the Whittier county areas have the toys. Depending on the shift, there could be anywhere from four to eight black-and- whites on the streets.

        Maxwell said deputies also give out the toys when they respond to a domestic violence situation.

        He gives kudos to Wall and the program. (News comes from:Visional textile(Ningbo)industrial corp)

        "How do you put a value on a child feeling better? It's nice to comfort them with a toy because it takes their mind off it (the situation)," Maxwell said.

        CHP Officer Al Perez said the station still has about 20 stuffed animals. Some are in patrol cars, others stored away in the office.

        But he's not averse to accepting more.

        "I think it's a good program. It's a positive thing," Perez said. "It provides some comfort to a child in a collision."

        The toys and blankets can be dropped off at Jean Wall's residence at 11932 Tigrina Ave and export blanket most from China. Call (562) 943-4271 first to make sure Wall will be on hand to receive the items.