Bocchetta Plush Toys Bring Comfort During Covid
Industry: Retail & eCommerce
Bocchetta Plush Toys donates life like plush toys to aged care providers to be used for comfort.
Gold Coast, Australia (PRUnderground) February 10th, 2021
During COVID, many seniors in aged care facilities were cut off from their families; unable to connect with their loved ones. One enterprising Australian company, whose business was impacted by the pandemic, came up with a heart warming solution.
Lee-Ann Nordin, owner of Furtastic Friends by Bocchetta Plush Toys, normally supplies her lifelike plush toys to the tourism industry, but COVID impacted that. In true entrepreneurial fashion, Lee-Ann found way to bring joy to others.
“ I do what I do because I love the creativity that goes into designing our toys. I love that they are friendly and that our clients love our products. I also love the feel good factor – our products bring comfort and companionship to so many people ,” she said.
“The saddest part of the COVID-19 pandemic, for me, was the effect of the social isolation on our senior citizens. Many were cut off from their families, friends, and each other. Ice-cream and craft days, bingo, essential exercise classes and excursions were decimated.
“Visits from relatives with pets and pet therapy programs were also put on hold, so the opportunities for connection were minimal. This is when I really wished I could give each and every one of them a companion.”
In December 2020 , Bocchetta Plush Toys donated to a local residential aged care provider, Arcare Aged Care, their plush toys to be used for comfort. “Arcare identified residents who needed a little extra companionship and since the program started, they’ve identified more so the project is ongoing,” Lee-Ann said.
As Arcare’s Jacki Felder unwrapped her surprise gift and card, a fluffy and soft figure slowly appeared – Rimsky, a Clydesdale horse who recently retired from his sporting days.
Jacki is a big fan of horses who grew up with horses, competing in equestrian competitions.
“I love animals, especially horses and dogs. I would love to have a horse plush toy with me; it would mean a world to me,” she said.
Valda was gifted a German Shepherd, Her family expressed to Lee-Ann he “brings a sense of happiness and comfort to their mum” and shared that “This gift has made a difference in mum’s life and that really means a lot to us,”.
Bocchetta Plush Toys has also donated the comfort toys to lonely residents in RAAFA (WA).
Joe was gifted a Bichon Frise fluffy toy to which she bonded immediately and has kept at her side ever since. Her friend Julie said, “the great pleasure it gave her and the difference to her health having the dog has made has been remarkable”.
“Having a cuddly companion “enabled Joe to have the comfort of feeling she was sharing her home with a real-life dog.”
Lee-Ann said they have been so delighted with their new companions.
“I would love to run an open donation program for another 25 toys where members of the public identify lonely people for us and we send them animals. We’ve received so many stories of how our toys bring comfort to lonely seniors and to patients suffering from dementia,” she said.
“What I’d love to see is people buying more plush toys for the elderly. I want to change the belief that plush toys are for children and remove the stigma from adults who enjoy the companionship of a plush toy. Our Furtastic Friends are also extremely popular amongst the men, particularly when they are reminiscent of a past pet. The men often do not relate to dolls that are offered as comfort toys but really love a realistic plush pal.
Bocchetta Plush Toys are different because they are designed by the Bocchetta family team and lovingly handmade to be realistic and friendly. Lee-Ann said they’re made up of up to 50 individual pieces to make them more lifelike. “Our fabrics are unique and specially made up for us and are hypoallergenic, machine-washable and super-soft,” she said.
About Bocchetta Plush Toys
FurTastic Friends are Uniquely Handcrafted by Bocchetta Plush Toya, a family-owned business based in Australia who adore the job of designing lifelike toys that create a connection. We endeavour to turn them from toys to animal companions. We design them with love to provide a lifetime of cuddles ensuring that every single forever-friend is soft and furry — made to be stroked, loved, and petted.
