Those who’ve been around this blog for a while, know that I’m a huge fan of sewing for charity. Today I want to share with you one of my recent favorite charities in need of sewing donations: Dolls of Hope.
image from Dolls of Hope
Dolls of Hope Charity Sewing – Stuffed Bears for Children in Crisis
When my youngest son was ready to start working on an Eagle Scout project this summer, and knowing it would need to be something with skills in my wheelhouse, we talked about it, I shared some ideas, and he choose to make stuffed toy bears for the organization Dolls of Hope. (You can also find them on Facebook.)
You may remember that I featured Dolls of Hope last year as one of the sewing-for-charity causes in my Sew Goodness series.
Anyone who’s helped a kid with an Eagle Scout project knows it is a ton of work. And, because the scout’s job is to take charge, lead the project and teach others along the way, it’s not the most efficient way to mass produce. But I’m proud of this guy – he did it!
We were so grateful for fabric donations from Riley Blake Designs who donated flannel and minky scraps and an awesome neighbor who donated all of the stuffing.
His goal was to sew 50 bears, but with the extra fabric/stuffing we had we were able to make 68!
It was so great to see the variety of kids who came to help with the Dolls of Hope projects. We had one day where it was prepping the bears – tracing the pattern, stitching the faces, preparing for the machine sewing. (Some even tried machine sewing for the first time.)
Then we had another day of stuffing all of the bears.
It was so fun to watch these kids not only try new skills, but willingly jump in and help with our Dolls of Hope sewing project, especially when my son explained that the bears would go to children in need – most with nothing of their own.
Another shout out to helpful neighbors – one who came and helped stitch up the holes in the side after all of the bears were stuffed. And an extra special shout out to this special neighbor who helped with some of the machine sewing. This is our wonderful neighbor Xiong Li. I’ve shared a little bit in the past about this wonderful friend and her Hmong sewing skills. Now in her 90’s, sewing is still her favorite thing to do- she makes flannel baby blankets for charities whenever she gets her hands on fabric. She says it makes her days go faster.
She helped us sew together some of the bears which was extra poignant since many of the donated bears and dolls go to children in refugee camps.
Xiong Li lived in a Thai refugee camp with her own small children before being relocated to the United States in the 1980’s. Her husband helped rescue and hide American pilots who had been shot down over Vietnam and Laos in the 1970’s. As a result he and their family was hunted and tortured by the Laotian military. Their family had a harrowing escape across Laos and the Mekong river with bullets flying over their heads, before being rescued and given refuge in a camp in Thailand and eventually asylum in the US.
I love this special friend so much. These are real people with traumatic stories they didn’t choose. We are so much more alike than different.
Want to help us make more Dolls of Hope Bears?
We delivered the bears to to Dolls of Hope this week. As we talked to Sarah, the founder, she mentioned that she’s had requests for 1,000’s more bears before the end of the year. The bears/dolls are usually requested and delivered by charities and organizations traveling to help people in need around the world.
We’ve completed the Eagle project, but we want to help get more bears in the hands of children. Want to help us? You can make and send your own collection of dolls or bears to Dolls of Hope. You can find all of their information on their website here or their Facebook page.
Or, if you only have time to make one or two flat bears for Dolls of Hope, send them to us before Thanksgiving. We have a pro-team of experienced stuffers now and would be happy to finish them and deliver them to Dolls of Hope for you. You can find the pattern to make the bears here.
POST UPDATE: I’m no longer taking bears to stuff, but you can send them directly to Dolls of Hope – they will gladly take them unstuffed and have people who can help finish them. You can find their contact information here.
image from Dolls of Hope
Are you doing any charity sewing before the holidays this year? I’d love to hear what you’re doing!
Sewing for others in need is so rewarding. It blesses both the giver and the receiver. But does not need to be a source of added stress or guilt. Here are my extended thoughts and lessons learned on how to pace yourself when sewing for charity.
Kay
How absolutely wonderful. Thank you for being such a good person. x
Karen
This is a wonderful project, Amy! I just downloaded the pattern! Thank you for letting us know how we can help!
Meghan H.
That was such a lovely, heartwarming post. And your neighbor and her family sound like amazing people. Thank you for sharing their story with us.
farmhousequiltsblog
Thank you for sharing the story and the link Amy. I am going to share this with my FB group and see if we can get some more done!
Little Quiltsong
This warms my heart, Amy! I just delivered my quilts to the hospital last week. God was so good – this was the biggest amount yet, since starting 4 years ago. Our main hospital services 3 other hospitals in the surrounding area – and even in this day and age, many have nothing to wrap their babies in, when it is time to go home. I’m just a little, little part of this, but am always so amazed when tears come to the staffs’ eyes, when my husband and I come in to deliver our quilts. Your son and friends did such a wonderful charity drive. Helping hands – there is something for us all to do :)!
hopflower
How wonderful of you, Amy. The snaps of those kids with their teddies is heartwarming. You have brought a lot of joy to them. Bless you.
Kathie L
My guild collects placemats in December that we’ve made for our local Meals on Wheels. We usually make more that 400 so that every client in the county gets one or two. We love doing it.
Amy
What a great project!
Kris King
This is awesome! My son is also an Eagle Scout, and I remember how much work his Eagle Project was. I am going to try and make a few of these to send to you. I have some flannel that I think would make some great bears, but I don’t have any minky or fleece. Is it alright to make both front and back out of flannel? Thank you for bringing this incredible project to my attention.
Amy
Yes! Both sides flannel is great. Thanks Kris!
Rosemaryflower
Wonderful Amy. It is so nice to see kids working together to make and share with kids in need.
I am very proud of your son
Suzanne Fain
What a great Eagle Scout Service Project! For several years my quilting buddy and I have been making pillowcases for a camp set up for foster kids. As of yesterday we had completed 17 of the 55 pillowcases needed for the 2020 summer camp.
Pamela Greer
What about donating also to the children in the Bahamas that lost everything in the storm. I would love to help sew but I don’t have a computer to download pattern. Pam @ texlj@hotmail.com
Sarah Parson
We actually sent some to the Bahamas:)
If you email me your address I can mail you patterns. Dollsofhopeinternational@gmail.com
And thank you for wanting to help.
Sarah
Founder of Dolls of Hope
Sandal
This is a wonderful project! Our quilt guild donates completed quilts to veterans, a food pantry, nursing home, girls club, and meals on wheels so our quilts bless people from birth to seniors. Last year we donated 150 quilts! I’m so thankful to be a part of this program!
hopflower
How generous of you, Amy. The children look thrilled to have the teddy bear dolls and I know you enjoyed making them. This is a win-win, for sure.
Virginia
Thank you for sharing this beautiful story.
Ev
Are there any charities like this to sew for in Canada?
Sarah Parson
Where are you in Canada? I have lots of groups sewing Dolls of Hope all over Ontario.
If you want more information email dollsofhopeinternational@gmail.com
Thank you!
Sarah
Founder, Dolls of Hope
Sarah Parson
What a beautiful post Amy. Thank you for sharing this here in your blog and inspiring others to help us and participate in other sewing projects to serve those in need. And thank you for sharing about your amazing 90 year old neighbor – what an incredible lady ❤️
Leslie Williams
Hi Amy, found the pattern for the bears. Have 12 bear completed with faces embroidered. May I send them to you along with a donation to purchase stuffing? They are ready to be mailed out on Monday 11/18/19, Thank you for allowing me to contribute. Best of luck to your son, sounds like a great kid.
Amy
Fantastic! Thank you so much, Leslie! I just DM’d you my shipping info. xo
Virginia A. Marien
Thank You Amy for sharing such an awesome story. There are so many good people in the world, we just need to hear more about things like this. My great-grandaughter and I made some and 1 for her. I showed her the picture of some of the children getting them that you shared.
Our Father's House Soup Kitchen
These dolls are cute. Children would surely love these. Very inspiring!
Laurie
Is this group still active in 2021?
Amy
Yes! Still very active and in need. You can see their latest on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/168797656889976
Sharon Schaffer
Are you excepting unstuffed bears now & where can I mail them
Amy
I’m not taking any unstuffed bears but you can send unstuffed bears directly to Dolls of Hope. They will gladly take them! You can find their contact information here: https://www.dollsofhope.org/
Thanks so much for your interest, Sharon!