A father in the metro region says he and his family has been overwhelmed with the community response as they search for a special toy belonging to his daughter.

Michael Burry says during a business trip to Ottawa last October he went to the Build-a-Bear workshop and got a stuffed, tie-dyed cat that plays the message, “Hi Scarlett, daddy loves you.”

Over Christmas, the toy was accidentally put in with some other toys that were being donated to Value Village, and the little girl was devastated when she realized it was gone.

Burry put out the information on social media and has made a trip to Value Village, but thus far has not found the stuffed cat.

Burry says thus far they have received a great response from the community, noting that when he made the trip to Value Village to check for the item the staff recognized him due to the amount of calls they had already received.

He says they have been showing Scarlett all the messages of support, and despite being sad about the item being gone, that’s picked up her spirits.

Burry says it’s a lot for a six-year-old to take in, but she couldn’t wait to go to school to tell her friends about how many people want to help her.