Make a Doll to Comfort a Child in Crisis

Hurricane season is upon us. Newscasts in all the eastern and gulf coast states are airing advice and lists of survival needs. Happens every year. And every year hurricanes drive hundreds if not thousands of Americans out of their homes. Every year, many families lose everything they own. Just as disastrous are tornadoes, wildfires, floods...it's a dangerous world out there.

We donate money and household goods, clothing and food to the network of support systems that has developed to provide necessities and shelter for disaster victims. Then we see pictures of frightened children who don't understand, who simply know that they don't feel safe any more. How can they when everything familiar is gone? It has long been common knowledge that all small children find solace in holding a doll or teddy bear. Yet amidst the logistics of supplying essential physical needs, that little bit of emotional support usually gets neglected.

Anyone who sews can help fill this gap. You can make what we call comfort dolls, even if you're just a beginner at sewing. This is a good project to practice on and you get to send the evidence away! Most dolls are donated anonymously. Nobody is going to judge you by the quality of your work, they're just grateful for the donation. Meanwhile, you've improved your skills and confidence at sewing. Everybody wins.

The Dollmakers' Internet Community has established a clearing house for collecting and distributing comfort dolls. Closer to home, you can check with the outreach ministry at your church or some civic organizations. Contact your local hospitals and ask about donating comfort dolls for children facing traumatic surgery or extended illness. Women's and homeless shelters might be interested.

A comfort doll is soft, sturdy and washable. It can be a simple pancake doll - the same shape front and back - or be as fully articulated as a teddy bear. Google free cloth doll patterns to find lots of patterns that are available online. Simple patterns are available free at the comfort dolls site.

Materials should be bright and cheerful, sturdy and washable. It's a good idea to wash yardage before cutting. If you're using scraps, assemble the doll and launder it before stuffing. Avoid fussy embellishments and anything a small child could pull or bite off and swallow. Poly fiberfill or cotton stuffing and yarn hair (cotton or acrylic) are to be preferred. Double stitch everything. Topstitch appliques. Use double thread and close tiny stitches for hand stitching. Leave no gaps that little fingers can get into and tear apart. Stuff firmly but not rock hard. Doll clothes and accessories can be separate, but could easily get lost.

Go for bold and tough. Remember, the children that receive these dolls may well be living on a cot in a gym with a lot of strangers. They don't need a delicate and precious doll. They need a doll of serious substance that can stand up to harsh conditions...and see them through this trying time.