The Giving Doll Charity & Links to Free Cloth Doll Patterns
A Giving Doll Milestone
A wonderful milestone was reached when doll number 10,000 was donated in December of 2011.
History and Mission of The Giving Doll
In March 2006, Jan Householder decided to begin a community volunteer project when her friend’s daughter, Katherine, became a patient at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Jan organized volunteers who gathered together to sew handmade cloth dolls. Katherine would then distribute the dolls to other children who were with her in the research program when she went in for treatments.
As further needs became evident in a variety of settings, The Giving Doll program expanded, becoming a 501 © (3) non-profit organization in 2009.
The Giving Doll mission, as found on their website thegivingdoll.com, is as follows:
“Our Mission is to give faith, love, joy, hope and comfort to children worldwide, at times of special need through the construction and distribution of handmade cloth dolls.”
Today, The Giving Doll distributes their special dolls to children all over the world giving hope, love and comfort to children in need.
The Giving Doll Headquarters
Location of The Giving Doll World Headquarters
During the summer of 2011, The Giving Doll Shop became a reality. With help from loyal volunteers, a building space was cleaned, painted and repaired giving further incentive to keep this beautiful program going.
The headquarters now has space for meetings, material and supply storage, and ample working areas to complete construction of the dolls.
Located at 229 College Street in Wadsworth, Ohio USA, The Giving Doll Shop is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday.
Interested volunteers in the area should feel free to stop by to chat with the volunteers, watch dolls being made and learn how you can get involved.
Additional Giving Doll Program Locations in the U.S.
Soft Sculpture Cloth Doll Patterns
How Can I Get Involved With The Giving Doll Program
There are many ways you can make a difference.
Become a Giving Doll Volunteer
Volunteer individually by making dolls or at church groups or sewing and quilting guilds. I've included some free online cloth doll patterns below.
Make a Tax Deductible Financial Donation to The Giving Doll
A tax deductible donation can be made securely online through PayPal or via check by mail. Checks should be mailed to The Giving Doll, P.O. Box 972, Wadsworth, OH 44282
Consider Donating Supplies
If you are unable to participate in the making of the dolls, consider donating supplies. Items needed include:
- Woven cotton and/or cotton blend fabric
- Polyfill (stuffing)
- Yarn that is a common hair color
- Thread, lace, elastic and trims
- Doll blankets
- Tote bags
- Boy and girl clothes
- Gift cards to stores with crafts and fabric such as JoAnn Fabrics, Michael’s Crafts and WalMart
For more information, feel free to visit the website link above or email Jan Householder at jan@thegivingdoll.com
Free Online Cloth Doll or Rag Doll Patterns
Below you will find a variety of hot links to free online patterns for cloth dolls.
Cloth Doll Connection
The Cloth Doll Connection offers dozens of free online cloth doll patterns including helpful tips and techniques.
Judi's Dolls
Judi's Dolls claims to design their dolls so well, that they look great undressed. You will find some adorable free patterns on her site.
Free Cloth Doll Patterns
This website is a wonderful compilation of links to free patterns.
The Magic Bean
This fun blog has a unique variety of free cloth doll patterns you may enjoy.
SewingSupport.com
Easy to navigate website with over 50 free cloth doll patterns plus how-to advice.
Volunteering With The Giving Doll Program
Getting involved with a wonderful program such as The Giving Doll can be extremely rewarding. Whether you are able to make a donation or actually create beautiful cloth dolls, your generosity will be cherished more than you could ever imagine.
This is Sharyn's Slant
Tutorial for Sewing a Cloth Doll
Comments
Sharon Smith (author) from Northeast Ohio USA on October 25, 2018:
Hi Ann, that is SO sweet. Good for you, best wishes!
Ann Hykin - Arden, NC on October 25, 2018:
I saw the Giving Doll on a rerun of Sewing with Nancy.
I want to get a pattern and try making one. i would love to
donate dolls to children. Thank you for your heart work!
Sharon Smith (author) from Northeast Ohio USA on January 26, 2013:
Hi Penelope ~ aw, thanks so much for your great feedback and votes/shares too. Very much appreciated!
Sharyn
Penelope Hart from Rome, Italy on January 24, 2013:
This is so cute and so wonderfully helpful..Voting and sharing and tweeting too.
Sharon Smith (author) from Northeast Ohio USA on January 12, 2013:
Hi Shasta ~ it really is a great program. Thank you so much for your feedback and vote. Hope you have a great weekend!
Sharyn
Shasta Matova from USA on January 09, 2013:
I did not know about this program, and you have provided much useful information about how to participate. How wonderful that such a program exists! Voted up.
Sharon Smith (author) from Northeast Ohio USA on December 29, 2012:
Hi RT ~ you are welcome. I love highlighting charities like this. Thank you so much for stopping by!
Sharyn
RTalloni on December 29, 2012:
Thanks so much for highlighting The Giving Doll program for us and for the links to doll patterns!
Sharon Smith (author) from Northeast Ohio USA on December 16, 2012:
Hi Pras ~ great to see you here. I appreciate you stopping by to read and comment. Thank you so much!
Sharyn
prasetio30 from malang-indonesia on December 16, 2012:
I love this doll. My friend, you have wonderful idea here. Especially for donating or charity. Thanks for writing and share with us. Voted up!
Prasetio
Sharon Smith (author) from Northeast Ohio USA on December 15, 2012:
Hi Mizjo ~ great to meet you. This really is a worthwhile project and I am glad to hear you will get involved. Thank you for your feedback and for sharing this article. Have a great holiday!
Sharyn
mizjo from New York City, NY on December 12, 2012:
Hi, Sharyn, this is a wonderful, worthwhile project, a heartwarming article and a Call to Action. I'm going to get involved in New York. Sharing everywhere.
Sharon Smith (author) from Northeast Ohio USA on December 04, 2012:
Hi Yvonne ~ You are welcome. I like writing about special charities such as The Giving Doll. I appreciate you stopping by.
Sharyn
Yvonne Spence from UK on December 04, 2012:
This is such a lovely idea, and it's so nice it has spread to so many places. Thanks for highlighting this charity!
Sharon Smith (author) from Northeast Ohio USA on December 03, 2012:
Hi Gypsy Rose Lee ~ thanks for your wonderful comments and for passing this article on. Very much appreciated!
Sharyn
Gypsy Rose Lee from Daytona Beach, Florida on December 03, 2012:
Voted up and interesting. Thank you for this informative and worthy hub. A wonderful project. Passing this on.
Sharon Smith (author) from Northeast Ohio USA on December 01, 2012:
Hi Mo ~ isn't it such a sweet program. Thank you so much for stopping by to check it out!
Sharyn
Sharon Smith (author) from Northeast Ohio USA on December 01, 2012:
Hi Maria ~ Thank you so much for your touching feedback. I always appreciate what you have to say. I hope you are doing well.
Sharyn
Marisa Hammond Olivares from Texas on December 01, 2012:
Sharon, these are adorable and what a wonderful program. It is great of you to have included all of the names and locations with the map. Jan and Katherine's story is heartwarming and inspirational. Thank you for sharing.
Sharon Smith (author) from Northeast Ohio USA on December 01, 2012:
Hi Billy ~ me too. Programs like this are so awesome and meaningful Thank you so much for stopping by!
Sharyn
Maria Jordan from Jeffersonville PA on December 01, 2012:
Dear Sharon,
What a beautiful and inspirational program. Thank you for this heartwarming review and the necessary contact information.
This is a wonderful venture that we can all help in some way.
Voted UP and UABI. Hugs, Maria
Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on December 01, 2012:
I love programs like this one....thank you for introducing us to the worthy enterprise. Well done Sharon!
