When we last shared The Crowning of Kindness, Miss New York USA 2025 finalist Victoria Whetzel had just partnered with Stowfly and Kada’s Promise to launch a teddy bear drive for children facing abuse, neglect, homelessness, and serious illness.
Before the first bears were even delivered, she took to Instagram to share her gratitude:
“Thank you @stowfly for your partnership & for the most beautifully written feature,” she shared. “I LOVE YOU ALL.Thank you to @stowfly for your partnership .”
In just days, her vision came to life, and one Stowfly NYC package receiving location became the heart of it all.
And as the bears piled high, so did Victoria’s appreciation:
"sooo much gratitude to @missnyusa for connecting us with @kadaspromise as part of the pageant’s Social Impact initiative,” Victoria said. “This is bigger than a pageant. It’s about using the platform to do something that truly matters.”
Victoria created an Amazon Wishlist so supporters could send teddy bears directly to a secure Stowfly package receiving location in New York City. From the moment the drive began, the packages started arriving.
Before the week was over, she took to social media to encourage even more participation, inviting friends, followers, and kind-hearted strangers to join in the cause.
“For the next week, I’ve partnered with @stowfly to collect teddy bears for @kadaspromise as part of the Miss New York USA Social Impact initiative. ”
Victoria’s mission wasn’t just about collecting bears. She even taught a beginner’s dance fitness class on Saturday, August 9th, with all proceeds going toward purchasing more teddy bears. Those who couldn’t attend still had the option to contribute via Amazon or Venmo, proving that there’s more than one way to be part of a movement.
“Stowfly will be receiving packages/teddy bears from my Amazon Wishlist from now until Monday, August 11th!!!” Victoria announced during the drive. “If you can’t make class & still wish to donate to the cause, you can either purchase through the Amazon wishlist or Venmo me directly @Victoria-Whetzel-NYC.”
By the end of the week, more than 30 teddy bears had been received, stored, and kept safe, ready for Victoria to collect and deliver to Kada’s Promise.
The day Victoria came to pick up the donations was more than just a package pickup. With arms full of plush bears and a smile that could light up a subway car, she headed off to deliver comfort to children who needed it most.
Here’s what Victra had to say about her experience with the Stowfly NYC location that received her Amazon Wishlist teddy bears: The pick-up was amazing, everyone at the location was so kind! This was the greatest experience, and I’m so grateful to you and the team. I appreciate you all more than you know.”
For Stowfly, this was a proud moment of alignment between purpose and service. It’s proof that secure delivery points can be more than logistics hubs, they can be catalysts for kindness.
Victoria shared pictures of how she took 30+ teddy bears on their first NYC subway ride.
More than a delivery solution, Stowfly is a promise that every package, no matter how small, will be received with care. But this initiative shows how local infrastructure can go beyond convenience, becoming a bridge for community-driven kindness.
By serving as a secure package receiving hub, Stowfly ensured that every single teddy bear was received safely, without risk of being stolen or left out in the open risking loss or damage.
Every teddy bear that left the Stowfly location carried more than stuffing and soft fabric, it carried hope, comfort, and a reminder to each child that they are seen and cared for.
This drive wasn’t just about toys; it was about restoring a little piece of childhood to those who’ve faced more than their share of hardship. And at the heart of it stood Victoria Whetzel, a Miss New York USA 2025 finalist whose vision turned a simple idea into a movement of compassion.
Victoria’s unwavering energy, from building the Amazon Wishlist to personally collecting and delivering every bear, showed how one person’s kindness can ripple through an entire community. She proved that pageant platforms can be powerful vehicles for real change.
The teddy bear drive may have been temporary, but its impact will be felt for years in the hearts of the children it touched.
Because sometimes, the journey from a package to a person is the most meaningful trip of all.