Amy Mauseth (4th from left) and her two boys, present West Columbia and Lexington Safety Officials with over 1,000 stuffed animals. Amy Mauseth was an abused child growing up in California. She was young and her voice was so small, that she was not heard. After enduring years of abuse, she was finally placed in a foster home and found some relief. However, the home was only temporary and soon she found herself going through a series of returns to her parents or to another foster home.

"I remember having to leave one place or another on a moment's notice with nothing but fear to accompany me," stated Mauseth. "I needed comfort and reassurance that I would be safe. I needed compassion and understanding."

The idea for stuffed animals for children forced into uncertain and scary circumstances was born out of Amy's own experiences.

"I remember how scared I was, and even today I see children being taken away into protection and see the looks on those young faces," said Mauseth. "If I had been given something of comfort, like a soft, stuffed animal, I believe that would have given me some reassurance that I would be safe. Just to bury my face in something without confrontation and fear would have helped me through those uncertain times," remembers Mauseth.

With Mauseth's desire to help others who are in crisis and with the help of the employees at Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community, 1,000 stuffed animals were donated to the Lexington County Protective Services.

Members of the West Columbia and Lexington Public Safety Departments went to Still Hopes to receive the gifts for the children who will be given these stuffed animals. "I want to thank the Still Hopes' employees for their donations and if we have helped the lives of children, I have accomplished my goal," stated Mauseth.

Today, Mauseth is the mother of four boys who keep her busy, in addition to her work as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Still Hopes.