About Sticks and Stuffies
A youth-led initiative where hockey meets heart — and stuffed animals become comfort for kids.
Where hockey meets heart.
Claire Goodman is a South Florida student with a deep love of hockey and an even deeper commitment to her community. When she saw an opportunity to combine those two passions, Sticks and Stuffies was born.
Claire organized the first Sticks and Stuffies event from the ground up — coordinating with CanesWear, connecting with Florida Panthers player A.J. Greer, rallying families and the South Florida hockey community, and personally helping collect and deliver 153 new stuffed animals to Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital in March 2026.
Her vision extends far beyond South Florida. Claire hopes to bring Sticks and Stuffies to hockey communities across the country — partnering with professional, college, club, and youth hockey programs to reach children in hospitals everywhere.
"One stuffie. One smile. One child at a time."
Comfort. Community. Hockey.
A hospital stay can be frightening and unfamiliar for a child. A stuffed animal can provide comfort, companionship, and a small sense of home during a difficult time. Sticks and Stuffies uses the power of hockey and community to place new stuffed animals into the arms of children who need them.
We bring together hockey players, teams, fans, families, schools, businesses, and community groups — united by a simple, powerful goal: to make a child's hospital stay a little less scary.
The First Event
153 Stuffies. One incredible South Florida hockey community.
In March 2026, Sticks and Stuffies held its inaugural event at CanesWear in Davie, Florida. The South Florida hockey community showed up in force — families, players, fans, and supporters all coming together around a shared mission.
Florida Panthers player A.J. Greer joined the event, bringing star power and heart to the cause. When the day was done, 153 brand-new stuffed animals had been collected — and Claire personally helped deliver every single one to Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital.
What We Collect
All stuffed animals must be new and unused.
Items must be in original packaging or clearly unwrapped and clean.
All donations must comply with the receiving hospital's donation requirements.
We coordinate directly with hospital partners to ensure every stuffie reaches a child.
The Vision Ahead
What started in South Florida is just the beginning. Sticks and Stuffies aims to expand throughout the country through partnerships with professional, college, club, and youth hockey programs — bringing comfort to children in hospitals from coast to coast.