This chapter, based in Lake Butler, serves North Eastern FL and nearby Georgia. https://stuffedanimalsforemergencies.org/ A regional chapter of Stuffed Animals for Emergencies, Inc, a 25-year-old non-profit founded by Cammie Sanders of Jacksonville, FL. Our present national president, Jennifer Alloy obtained 501(c)(3) status for SAFE in October of 2015, and we officially became a tax-deductible nonprofit. Our local program, FL GA SAFE operates from Union County Florida and is generously hosted by the Lake Butler Church of Christ. Our director, Cate Reagan began volunteering with SAFE originally in Arkansas in 2004. In August 2020, while attending training for her work with a different organization, she learned of a drive to collect stuffed animals for county emergency responders and contacted the FL SAFE program in Lakeland, FL. Arrangements were swiftly made for 2020 toys for Palatka County's law enforcement, fire, and rescue. The need for the program in the Northeast Florida area was evident. Members of the GFWC Lake Butler Woman's Club and the Lake Butler Church of Christ were eager to become involved. We officially opened our doors here at Lake Butler Church of Christ in January of 2021. In 2023 we partnered with American Legion Post 153 Union County to operate a community-based unit of Marine Corps Reserve Toys For Tots and in addition to delivering Christmas for 2259 children, we are pleased to have supported disaster relief in areas hard hit by Hurricane Idalia through TFT's year-round programs. In 2024, we continue to serve emergency responders and organizations that serve children and families in crisis across Florida, parts of Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina.
