Providing a small bit of comfort by sharing a doll to hug
There are numerous organizations which could benefit from a united effort to collect and distribute Comfort Dolls. By becoming a well known, trustworthy and reliable source for the collection and distribution of dolls, we will make the needs of these organizations easier to fulfill.
Comfort Dolls from Our Community was formed in January of 2005 from an idea to send something personal to the victims of the tsunami disaster that occurred on December 26, 2004. Several members of The Dollmakers' Internet Community, an email list for dollmaking, decided to follow up on the idea and turn it into a reality. Finding that it wasn't practical to send dolls to Thailand and learning that a lot of charities in other parts of the world were in need, the project idea grew and a larger organized need for providing dolls became apparant.
Deciding on a name took much thought. The name "Comfort Dolls from Our Community" was chosen, not only because there is a connection to The Dollmakers’ Internet Community, but the name also reaches out to all communities far and wide to have the opportunity to participate in this project.
Dolls are often used as a therapeutic method to help children that have been involved in a traumatic, life-altering, crisis situation.
From a local incident to large scale devastation, children can always benefit from receiving a doll to hug and hold.
In 2005, the project's first year, our goal was to collect 100 dolls for distribution. We far surpassed this goal by collecting 183 handmade dolls and 43 commercial dolls. For 2006, we have raised our goal to collect 150 dolls.
Long term goals include obtaining non-profit status. This would then allow donations to Comfort Dolls From Our Community to be tax deductable. Charity auctions and additional fundraisers could then be held to generate funds which would help defray the costs of shipping, international duties, custom charges and other costs involved with the distribution of Comfort Dolls.
Comfort Dolls from Our Community provides a central location to collect and distribute dolls to organizations which deal with children and young adults in crisis situations.
Our main focus is on collecting handmade dolls. Handmade dolls have a special quality to them. The love and care put into the doll while being created comes through for the child that receives it. This makes the doll a very special item to help in comforting a child. Handmade stuffed animals are also welcome as they are prefered by some children. In small quantities, commercially made, store bought dolls and animals are also accepted for distribution.
Being a part of the Comfort Dolls from Our Community project is easy. As an individual, you may donate one or several dolls. Clubs may work on extended projects to donate.
Many community groups are willing to help in participating with the Comfort Doll project. The Who can donate? link will provide you with ideas on who to contact along with a letter to distribute explaining our information.
When a donation is received, the dolls are well documented. Photographs are taken and all contact information regarding the donation is kept on file. Age appropriateness is determined for each doll. The dolls are then stored in plastic containers to await distribution.
Comfort Dolls from Our Community does not yet have non-profit status. Donations of dolls can not be used as a tax deduction at this time.
to reach out to children and young adults who need comfort.
International and National donations of Comfort Dolls will be made through a variety of organizations. State child protection services, homeless and women's shelters, fire departments, police departments, ambulance services, hospitals, individual and private volunteer efforts are just a few of these organizations.
Each group of dolls which is distributed is photographed and the dolls final destination is provided to the original donor. Comfort Dolls From Our Community feels it is very important for the donor to know that their doll has been distributed as intended.
As our first distribution, in June of 2005, a donation of 13 dolls was given to World Horizons Inc. for delivery to Fiji. Further information and photos from this trip can be found on our International Page.
Due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in Mississippi, 14 dolls were hand carried to Long Beach, Mississippi and distributed through a supply camp to help in comforting the numerous children affected there.
A second distribution soon followed. An elementary school included Comfort Dolls as part of their "caring" lesson. These dolls were sent to a medical clinic in Long Beach, Mississippi to help in comforting the children located there.
The elementary school project was so well received that a second lesson has been scheduled in March to decorate animal shapes for troops in Iraq to distribute.
Please visit our Community Projects page for further information on this project.
Right on time for a holiday distribution, 14 dolls were hand delivered to the emergency room at Waterbury Hospital in Connecticut for the nurses to distribute to children requiring medical attention over the busy holiday weekend.
In January 2006, our most recent distribution, over 3 dozen dolls were delivered to Cross Plains, Texas for distribution to children who lost their homes due to the wildfire which occured on December 27, 2005. This fire totally destroyed over 100 homes, a church and several businesses.
Dolls created for the children can be made from any pattern. Details on the dolls can be very simple for infants, or elaborately embellished for young adults.
Several free patterns are available online for those who wish to contribute a doll. These patterns are simple, quick and easy to create.
For further information or inquiries regarding the Comfort Dolls From Our Community project, please email Greta at: dollmaking@snet.net
The Shipping address for donations is: Margreta Albright c/o Comfort Dolls From Our Community 219 Main Street North Bethlehem, CT. 06751
With your help, Comfort Dolls From Our Community can make a difference to many children - providing a small bit of comfort by sharing a doll to hug Thank you for considering a donation to our project!