For every doll purchased from Phoebe&Egg I make and give a doll to a child in need. I started out with children in the foster care system in the Lowell and Salem Massachusetts area. Since this past spring I have been making dolls for children in Family Promise.

Tomorrow I ship a box off to Family Promise Metro West.

What is Family Promise?

It is a national organization that offers a broad range of programs and services for families struggling without a home. First and foremost, they work with local churches to provide a home for the families who have lost theirs.

Children are driven to their original schools to avoid the trauma of switching schools and so their schoolmates do not know they are no longer living in their home. Volunteers provide all sorts of assistance from cooking meals to childcare to dolls.

Although the doll donation is just a small contribution, I hope it will provide several things for children in Family Promise. A doll brings play, imagination, comfort and a friend.

With each doll I provide at least one extra outfit. Part of the fun of a doll is changing their clothes. I also try to make the doll age appropriate. Babies get a simple baby, no buttons or little decorations. Children 3-10 get a traditional doll and doll clothing. The doll is light, portable, durable and machine washable.

Teen girls get a doll more for treasuring and companionship. And of course, the teen doll has extra clothes, because most of us don't really outgrow playing with dolls.

In addition, I have some lovely handknit sweaters for each doll, made by women at the local Council on Aging.

The boys get stuffed puppies, but that is another post.

Doll Clothes including reversible dresses