After the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, W.D. Williams Elementary kindergarten teacher Jessica Turner wanted to give her students some hope to hold onto. She reached out to Way to Battle, an Ohio based organization that creates “Battle Pups,” soft plush toys designed to give comfort and strength.
Mrs. Turner had her hopes set on the company donating enough for the kindergarten classes, but to her surprise Way to Battle responded with something far beyond her request. Inspired by the resilience of the Swannanoa Valley and the students' journey to healing, the company decided to donate a Battle Pup to every student at W.D. Williams.
The company hand delivered the stuffed animals to the school, each one with a message that “Nobody battles alone.” Mrs. Turner, holding back tears, watched her students cling tightly to their new companions.
“This was such a comfort for our kids after everything they’ve been through the past month,” she said. “These pups help them know that they are not alone.”
The simple gift from Way to Battle shines as a beacon of hope, one that helps these young students find comfort as they begin to rebuild together.
