Clarendon County Scentsy consultant Kristen Barrineau is helping bring comfort to local children in traumatic situations through a community-driven “Buddy Drive.” For two weeks in September, Barrineau led the effort to raise funds to purchase 31 large “Scentsy Buddies” and 17 smaller “Buddy Clips” for the Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office victim advocates, who will distribute them to children in distress.
The Scentsy Buddies, scented stuffed animals that come with a comforting aroma pack, are intended to provide solace and security to children involved in situations ranging from domestic violence to accidents. “The scent is tied to memory,” Barrineau said. “When they hold onto it, hopefully it’s a piece of security they didn’t have in that moment.”
In collaboration with Victim Advocates Kim Hill and Deputy Scott Danback, who has been with the department for eight years and handles therapy dogs Mateo and Minka, the initiative will supply deputies with comforting items for children they interact with, both in schools and on duty. Hill expressed gratitude for the overwhelming success of the Buddy Drive, saying, “When Kristen first brought this idea to us, I thought it would be small, maybe a handful of little toys. But what she delivered blew me away — these Buddies are so much more than I expected.”
Barrineau, a Scentsy consultant for over 13 years, explained that her company’s core value of generosity was a major motivation for organizing the drive. The community response was robust, with people from Turbeville and surrounding areas sponsoring various Scentsy Buddies to be donated. “One of our core values is to give more than you take,” Barrineau said. “It’s wonderful to see that put into action.”
