Group makes hand-made dolls for sick kids

WADSWORTH, Ohio - The Giving Doll was created four years ago to help sick kids. The organization has grown to help needy children all over Northeast Ohio.

Jan Householder knows all about the special love between a little girl and her doll. She and her band of merry sewers make dolls for girls and boys who have special needs.

"I got started when a friend of my little girl was diagnosed with a brain tumor and became a patient at St. Jude’s. I made dolls for her to take when she went for treatment,” Householder said. "And now, we've made over 5,800 of these dolls in less than four years."

The dolls are handcrafted from the beginning.

"Each doll is special and they have a special name tag. And if you make a doll, you get to name it. This one says ‘My name is Allison’ and it was made by Helen to give you faith, love, hope, joy and comfort during this special time,” Householder said.

Donations:

Monetary donations can be made to:

The Giving Doll, Inc.
610 Koontz Road
Wadsworth, Ohio 44281

Drop-off sites for supplies and dolls:

The Center for Older Adults
138 High Street
Wadsworth, Ohio

The Chapel in Akron
135 Fir Hill
Akron, Ohio

The Chapel in Green
1800 Raber Road
Green, Ohio

Barberton Y Senior Center
500 West Hopocan Avenue
Barberton, Ohio