Port elementary donates stuffed animals to children in Turkey

BY CAMERYN OAKES

businesses, including V Starr, a commercial and residential design firm, and EleVen by Venus Williams, an activewear and lifestyle brand.

“Venus is not only one of the greatest athletes of all time, but she is also an established entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist,” Leigh Randall, managing partner of Topspin, said. “Having had the pleasure of getting to know Venus for some time through our Operating Partner, Josh Shaw, who has worked closely with Venus and her family for over a decade, all of us at Topspin have been impressed by her strong business acumen, competitive spirit, wellness expertise, and vast professional network.”

He added, “She will serve as an invaluable resource for our portfolio companies, and we look forward to working with her to identify new and

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Blankets, tents, clothing and portable beds were among the supplies desperately needed to be donated for relief in the aftermath of the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Turkey and Northern Syria Feb. 6.

But when Arzu Alkan was reviewing that list, it struck her: what about the needs of the children?

In response, the Guggenheim Elementary School counselor developed Operation Plushies Without Borders, a program at Guggenheim Elementary school to collect stuffed animals for the children displaced and affected by the catastrophic earthquake.

A box was placed in Alkan’s office during the week of Feb. 13-17 to collect the stuffed animals, but due to the efforts of the students from all grade levels, one box turned into two which turned into three until multiple boxes had to be provided for all the donations being brought in by students.

“It kept overflowing, so we had to keep adding another box, adding another bag,” Alkan said. “It just grew. It was a great problem to have.”

Overall, the students donated hundreds of stuffed animals. Many students brought multiple to donate, some even bringing personal plushies they wanted to share with another child in need. Alkan said that students from families of all socio-economic statuses participated.

But before the students got to the point of providing an overwhelming donation of stuffed animals, Alkan said she had to figure out if it was appropriate and

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