Twice Loved Dolls & Trucks - Charity Begins At Home

Aunt Mari (center) with Head Start Program workers

Last May, Marble Man and I took a trip throughout the Northeastern States. One of our stops was at the home of my beloved Aunt Mari and Uncle Ken Share. It had been FAR too long since our last visit together and this short visit was enough time to learn about my aunt's non-profit charity, Twice Loved Dolls & Trucks.

Volunteers working on toys

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Our interview:

SG: First-off, when did you begin your twice-loved dolls venture... what was the event that gave you the idea in the first place? Secondly, how did you begin? Did you begin on your own, or did you have people helping from the start?

Mari: Around 1997 I was a member of a Catholic Women's Group. Through discussion of our personal goals I expressed concern with the over-abundance of things in the USA for some children and a great lack for others. That fall I started getting a few donations of used dolls from acquaintances. The group helped me to clean the 30 dolls to nearly new condition. We gave them, wrapped and tagged to a group of homeless children who were part of a Head Start program at a church in White Plains NY. That was the beginning of Twice Loved Dolls & Trucks! I've built & continued this every year since then.

SG: Are there organizations that you work with directly?

Mari: Over the years, we have supported quite a few organizations: Blythedale Children's Hospital, Head Start programs, Church groups as well as private people in need.

SG: What are your sources for toys? What types of toys and books are you looking for specifically?

Mari: We receive donations from churches, from people who have seen my posters, from family and friends

We do not solicit or take money contributions.

We take rubber dolls, plastic dolls, trucks of all kinds, blocks, puzzles, doll clothing, & toys with no small parts. We also take books suitable for 2-6 year olds.

NO STUFFED ANIMALS PLEASE

SG: Where should people send toys for donation?

Mari: People can send toys to 7 Fenimore Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583.

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Volunteers with restored toys (Aunt Mari is on the right)

Aunt Mari has donated toys through the police and fire stations to individual kids who have been devastated by fire or horrendous crimes that have touched them and their families. The toys are gift wrapped by hand and given individually to each child.

If you have kids, or know someone who does, who are transitioning from one set of toys or books to another, please consider sending them to Twice Loved Dolls and Trucks instead of setting them out at the yard sale. You'd be doing a wonderful thing for some children who find themselves with nothing.

Thank you!

copyright 2010 Shibori Girl