Having a stuffed animal to hug or toy to play with can comfort a child requiring use of the YWCA Crossroads Shelter.

The Peterborough City Soccer Association hopes by collecting more than 50 stuffed animals for donation to the shelter, their players will gain greater social conscience, says PCSA president Barry Graham.

Graham presented the stuffed toys to YWCA Crossroads Shelter executive director Lynn Zimmer on Wednesday night at Eastgate Memorial Park.

“Peterborough City soccer club recognizes soccer is only one aspect of life,” Graham said.

“While we can teach our players the ins and outs of soccer we also want to teach them that there is more to life than soccer. We are very proud to be able to be make a donation to the Crossroads shelter.”

The PCSA has also donated toys to the Peterborough Regional Health Centre’s pediatrics ward and hold a Pink on the Pitch fundraiser annually for the Canadian Cancer Society. The PCSA has 500 players on 35 teams ranging in age from five to 35.

Zimmer said the donations are appreciated.

“The idea of kids reaching out and helping other kids and having empathy for other kids going through a tough time with their families is very special,” Zimmer said.

“Often when families arrive at Crossroads they are able to bring very little of their own belongings with them. It’s very important we have things that will comfort children.”

The shelter takes in 250 or more women and children annually.

“It’s important when they get there they find things that seem welcoming,” she said.

“Sometimes the children understand all too much of what has been going on between their parents, the violence and abuse happening in the family.

“Sometimes they are very affected by it or have witnessed it or felt it and experienced it themselves. They don’t really understand what is happening to their family, necessarily. The future becomes very uncertain. They’ve left their home and don’t know what’s coming next.”

Crossroads receives 80% of its funding from government and relies on community support for the rest, Zimmer said.