Madison Harder, left, gives close to two dozen stuffed toys to Battlefords Interval House Executive Director Debbie Kovalsky as a gift for the children who need to stay at the facility with their mothers. (Submitted photo/Debbie Kovalsky)

By Angela Brown

For the Children

Youngster donates 20 new toys for kids at Battlefords Interval House

Mar 14, 2020 | 3:41 PM

Youngster Madison Harder has a big heart for little kids going through tough times.

That’s why the eight year old asked her friends and family to donate a gift for the children at Battlefords Interval House instead of giving her presents for her birthday this year.

All together she collected about 20 new plush animals, known as “Beanie Boos” – to give to the children staying at the women’s shelter with their mothers escaping abusive relationships.

Madison’s mother Jennifer Harder said she is proud of her daughter for thinking of those less fortunate.

“We are very happy that she has an awareness of the needs of others, and wants to support others,” she said. “That would be something that my husband and I would try and help nurture in our children.”

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Harder said her daughter learned how important the facility is in the community.

Children staying at Battlefords Interval House will each receive one of the toy animals they can call their own.

Interval House Executive Director Debbie Kovalsky thanked Madison for the generous gift.

She said children staying at the shelter will be able to take a stuffed animal pal with them when their mothers are eventually ready to leave the facility.

Battlefords Interval House saw 101 children pass through its doors last year.

Kovalsky said children coming to the shelter are often still in a state of trauma similar to their mothers as they try to adjust to being in a new place. So anything that can make their time spent at their temporary new home more comfortable is welcome.

“That was very thoughtful for her to do that for the kids who come in here,” she said of Madison’s gesture.

Kovalsky said sometimes the kids are emotionally distressed when they arrive, and have a fear of being alone.

While the facility does have toys for all children to play with, she said the gift from Madison means that each child will have a brand new toy of their own.

Kovalsky mentioned Interval House also recently received a gift from the 100 Women Who Care The Battlefords group who donated over $7,000 to help with the cost a new children’s indoor play area for the facility.

“It’s so much appreciated; it’s really lovely,” she said.

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow