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Adopt-a-doll project to give children something to cherishBy Rose Hooper |
Carol Douglas"Right now folks in Seven Springs, hit hard by the flood waters from (Hurricane) Floyd, can only think about a place to live. They can't concentrate on Christmas yet; that's why we're trying to think about Christmas for them," said Carol Douglas, director of WestCare's volunteer services. Dolls donated to Harris Regional Hospital's Thrift Shop have been cleaned, refurbished, dressed up and are ready for adoption. With prices ranging from $2 to $15, people here can adopt a doll that will be delivered with all the others to children in Seven Springs. "It's our way of giving these children something to hold on to," said Douglas. Donations from doll adoptions are returned to the thrift shop. |
If you've ever been a parent who's had to wonder how you'll scrape together enough money for Christmas presents for your children, you'll identify with this project.
Carol Douglas, director of volunteer services for Harris Regional Hospital, spearheads the "Adopt-a-doll" project you'll see if you walk into the hospital lobby before Thanksgiving. Douglas knows families in the eastern North Carolina town of Seven Springs, devastated by the flood water from Hurricane Floyd, trying to rebuild their homes. "Right now, all they can worry about is having a home. They can't concentrate on Christmas yet. That's why we're trying to think about Christmas for them," said Douglas about this little town south of Goldsboro. A mother who in the past has worried about providing for her own family, Douglas knows what it means to be in need. "So many of these families affected by Floyd have lost everything, including their dream home and their dreams. They have nothing to hold on to. And the children are so vulnerable. That's why we're reaching out to them, giving them something they can hold on to - a doll to love and cuddle that's all their own." Florence Arrwood and other volunteers at HRH's Thrift Shop collected all their donated dolls and have refurbished them for this special Christmas project. "They've scrubbed them clean and made them look like new," said Douglas, marveling about "Florence's special shampoo that works on synthetic doll hair." |
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Although the outfits aren't new either, they certainly look like they are, Douglas said of the thrift shop donations. "I bet the hospital volunteers are the only ones who know the little dresses aren't brand new...and they know because they washed and pressed each precious one." In addition, Arrwood researched many of the dolls and has identified them by brand and year.
Anyone can adopt one of the dolls; prices range from $2 to $15. The adoptive parents then fill out a gift tag with their name and whatever message they choose. "When the children in Seven Springs receive their doll, they'll see the gift tag and know who it came from," Douglas explained. While Douglas stood in the lobby arranging the dolls, Emma Massengale stopped to learn about the project and immediately purchased a cabbage patch doll. "I choose a cabbage patch doll because my daughter has one," she said. Like Massengale, the Rev. Jack Hinson, hospital chaplain, quickly endorsed the project and purchased a doll with long brown curls. "I've always been partial to long hair," he said, filling out his gift tag. "People are putting a lot of thought into the dolls they choose," said Douglas, excited with each new adoption. On Thanksgiving Day the dolls will be delivered to Seven Springs. Douglas is personally seeing to that. "When folks in Sylva are sitting down to a big Thanksgiving dinner and counting their blessings, I'll be thinking what a wonderful blessing it is that we're able to share what we have with the folks in Seven Springs." To adopt a doll, visit the hospital lobby or contact Douglas at 586-7405. |
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