Students assemble 'comfort packs' in Barrington to help kids in need

Zoe Snell knows what it's like to be a kid dealing with stress and anxiety.

So the sixth-grader from Arlington Heights was happy to help Wednesday when students at Classical Consortium Academy in Barrington assembled dozens of "comfort packs" for Chicago-area children facing difficult circumstances.

The packs, which were donated to Chicago-based Safe Families for Children, included basic necessities like toiletries and clothing, as well as art supplies and toys known as Squishmallows, super-soft stuffed animals that help soothe children coping with anxious moments.

Zoe became such a fan of the toy for dealing with stress that she created a design of her own, a dog she named "Doug," and sent it to Squishmallow maker Kellytoy. The Los Angeles-based company was impressed and has agreed to produce and release Doug next year.

"It's a comfortable and relaxing toy and it helps to relieve anxiety," Zoe said.