After Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica’s children need more than physical shelter- they need emotional healing too.
Sensory toys aren’t just playthings. They’re therapeutic tools that help children regulate overwhelming emotions, calm their nervous systems, and process trauma in safe, healthy ways. A weighted stuffed animal can ease nighttime fears. Fidget toys can channel anxiety into movement. Kinetic sand lets little hands release what words cannot express.
We’ll be traveling to Jamaica in December with suitcases full of healing tools for children and teens affected by the hurricane. With your help, we can give even more young survivors tangible ways to find calm, rebuild confidence, and remember what safety feels like.
How You Can Help
Select an item from our list below and ship it directly to our collection point. Every toy becomes a tool for healing in the hands of a child who needs it.
Shipping Address:
Yaadi Strong
400 N Ervay St, Unit 130812
Dallas TX 75313
Important Notes:
- Please don’t wrap gifts (we need to sort by age)
- Feel free to include a card, but leave the envelope unsealed
- Most toys will go directly to affected children; others will support our therapeutic day camps
Suggested Sensory Toys
For Calming & Comfort:
- Weighted Stuffed Animals – Provides deep pressure for anxiety relief
- Plushies and Teddy Bears – Comfort companions for all ages
For Focus & Regulation:
- Mindful Maze Set – Breathing exercises made tangible
- Needoh Nice Cube – Stress relief that fits in a pocket
- Stimagz – Magnetic fidget tools
- Assorted Fidgets – Various options for different needs
For Creative Expression:
- Kinetic Sand – Sensory play that soothes
- Play-Doh – Classic tool for emotional release
- Coloring Books & Crayons – Art therapy basics
- Building Blocks & Puzzles – Rebuild confidence through creation
Simple Joy:
- Bubbles & Bubble Solution – Breathing exercises disguised as play
Other Ideas: Any sensory toy that helps children self-soothe, focus, or express feelings
Why This Matters
For a child who lost their home in Hurricane Melissa, a weighted stuffed animal might be the first thing that helps them sleep through the night. For a teen struggling with anxiety, a fidget toy could make the difference between panic and peace. These aren’t just donations—they’re investments in Jamaica’s emotional recovery.
Thank you for helping us show Jamaica’s children that the world cares about their healing, not just their housing.
Questions? Contact us at contact@yaadistrong.org
From Yaadi to Yaadi… We take care of our own. 💚