For a child preparing for surgery, a stuffed animal can offer comfort and reassurance during an unfamiliar and often frightening experience. The Iron Tigers Robotics Team #5866 at Frenship High School is working to provide that comfort through its second annual stuffed animal drive benefiting the University Medical Center (UMC) Surgical Department. 

Led by Frenship High School STEM and Robotics Coach James Holloway, the service project was inspired by Holloway’s wife, an operating room nurse, who shared how stuffed animals can help ease children’s anxiety throughout their surgical journey. Some stuffed animals can even be dressed to reflect a child’s procedure, helping young patients better understand their experience. 

After learning about the impact these donations could make, Holloway shared the idea with his students. The Iron Tigers embraced the project and collected more than 200 stuffed animals during its inaugural year. Those donations provided comfort to children for several months, inspiring the team to continue the effort and expand its impact. 

“We were so encouraged by the response last year,” said Holloway. “This year, we want to collect enough stuffed animals to help provide that comfort to children throughout the entire year.” 

While the Iron Tigers spend much of their time designing robots and solving technical challenges, the project offers students an opportunity to apply their teamwork and problem-solving skills in a different way.

“Our students are learning that what they do can make an impact beyond the classroom,” said Holloway. “They may never meet the children who receive these stuffed animals, but they can still help make a frightening day a little easier.” 

Community members are invited to support the effort by donating new, medium-sized stuffed animals with their original tags attached that do not make noise. Donations will be accepted through Tuesday, December 1, 2026, in CT-3 in the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Building at Frenship High School.