Stuffed animal helps strangers come together, bond over kindness

DUBOIS, Pa. (WTAJ) — A DuBois girl’s newest stuffed animal has a very special story behind it.

“It wasn’t ever my intention for it to get this far, but it’s so awesome that an impact was made like this,” Amber Roy, an employee at the Five Below, said.

Roy has been working at the store since it first opened in July 2023. She loves getting to know the customers and went above and beyond for the Tresler family.

“It means a lot,” Jeremy Tresler said. “It means that there is kindness still out there today. It’s not all bad.”

Marley Tresler and her two sisters, Bella and Jaelynn, were allowed to pick out a stuffed animal. Marley chose the sloth. It was her favorite. There was just one problem.

“I noticed a hole in the stomach and I was like, ‘Oh no! Can’t have that happen,'” Roy explained.

You think, just go find a new one, right? However, after feverishly going through the bin, that was the only one. Marley was disappointed but settled for a stuffed waffle instead.

The family left the store and thought that would be it, but of course, it wouldn’t be a story if that were the end.

“I kept thinking about it,” Roy said. “She was so happy. I was like I can’t let her go without it. So I sewed it up and made a post on Facebook. And trust me, I am not the best sewer. I have never really sewed anything in my life.”

With the sloth all stitched up, Roy made a post on a community Facebook page hoping to find the family. She explained she sewed the sloth back up and would love to buy it for Marley. Roy said within an hour she was contacted.

“I went and told my manager that was with me that night,” Roy smiled. “I’m like she can get her stuffed animal! It made my whole night.”

The exchange happened the next day. Since Roy wasn’t working, she left the stuffed animal at the store and got a thank-you picture of Marley with her sloth, which she named Sausage.

Marley takes Sausage everywhere. On walks, while she’s playing games, building castles, and even to her kindergarten play.

“There’s not that many nice people in the world,” Bella Tresler, Marley’s sister, expressed. “Not people like Ms. Amber. She’s the nicest person in the whole world. Some people are bullies but try not to be a bully. Try to be kind and loving. And all the people that are kind, be kind even more.”

“I want them to know that there are kind people out there that are willing to help and that not everything is so negative,” Roy said. “Not everybody is so mean.”

These once strangers are now bonded for life over one small act of kindness.

Marley has autism and her dad said she loves all types of animals, but her favorite right now is stuffed animals.

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“It’s very safe for her,” Jeremy said. “She loves them.”

Reach out to Maggie Smolka if you know someone or an organization that’s making an impact in the community. You can email msmolka@wtajtv.com or message her on Facebook .

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