On December 17, New York Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon collaborated with Emily Spatto, the New York ambassador for the non-profit organization Kada's Promise, to deliver numerous teddy bears and stuffed animals to the Utica Fire Department. These plush toys will be distributed by firefighters, ambulance teams, and emergency medical technicians to children during pediatric emergency calls throughout the holiday season and beyond.
The stuffed animals are intended to provide "much needed comfort" to children in the Utica area who may be experiencing crisis situations, according to a statement.
These toys were originally part of a larger donation made by Spatto on behalf of Kada's Promise to Buttenschon's 6th annual Winter Accessories and Food Drive on December 15.
"I want to thank Emily for her hard work and dedication with this project," Buttenschon stated, "to share these teddy bears with so many."
The Story Behind Kada's Promise
Kada's Promise was founded by the late Kadance Fredericksen, a former Miss Teen USA Pageant contestant from Florida's Okaloosa County.
The charity's website explains that Kada experienced sexual and other abuses as a young child, followed by periods of homelessness and hunger. Before being rescued by her biological father and his wife, who adopted her, the only comfort she found came from "a single stuffed animal."
"The only thing that brought her comfort was a single stuffed animal, a small source of security in a world that often felt unsafe," shares the story on Kada's Promise website. "She carried that 'stuffy' with her from house to house, couch to couch, clinging to it when everything else felt uncertain."
Following Fredericksen's tragic passing, her parents dedicated themselves to continuing her legacy through Kada's Promise, which provides teddy bears and blankets to children in foster care, abuse survivor shelters, hospitals, and those without homes.
"Kada's Promise is probably my greatest accomplishment to date. It's my life story," Kada said about establishing the non-profit before her death, as shared on the organization's website. "Yes, it is painful to think back to those dark days in my life, but all of that disappears when I meet a scared, lonely little girl in a shelter and get to hand her a stuffed animal, probably the first she's ever owned. Her eyes fill with sparkle, her smile stretches wider and wider. I am so blessed that my pain was temporary and now I get to use my story to temporarily take someone else's pain away."
To expand Kada's mission and legacy, her parents have appointed Kada's Promise ambassadors in every state. Earlier this year, Emily Spatto was named the New York State ambassador for the organization.
"It's been such a rewarding experience," Spatto remarked. "Being able to support the organization's mission of helping children and families in need is something that I hold dear to my heart."
Spatto explained she was "drawn to donate" the stuffed toys to Buttenschon's annual event because she "wanted to help bring a little extra joy and comfort to children in our community during the holiday season."
Buttenschon expressed additional gratitude to Utica's firefighters, ambulance crews, and EMTs for their role in bringing comfort to children in need.
"I also want to thank our first responders," said Buttenschon, "as when a child is in crisis, these bears will provide some comfort as our EMS providers care for them."
Spatto concluded, "I love to make a difference and help others, and this is a way to do that while carrying on Kadance's legacy."
