Welland Burnside conceived this program following the loss of his young friend Alex, who died of cancer. He asked friends to honor Alex by placing a stuffed animal on his grave, on his birthday, every year. The animals were then donated to local law enforcement agencies to be given to children in traumatic situations such as automobile accidents, domestic violence, etc. Today the program has grown into organized stuffed animal collections in 37 states and 8 foreign countries. In addition to law enforcement agencies, the animals are distributed to hospitalized children and those who are victims of natural disasters.