The Giving Doll was created and copyrighted by Jan Householder in March 2006, as a community volunteer project, when a friend’s daughter (Katherine) became a patient at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Handmade cloth dolls were constructed by volunteer sewers, and Katherine took the first dolls to the hospital, when she went for treatments. As other needs became apparent, the program expanded to include children in a variety of settings worldwide.
In 2009 The Giving Doll, Inc. became a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization.
In December 2011, The Giving Doll reached a milestone when doll ten-thousand was donated.
The Giving Doll World Headquarters
The Giving Doll Shop at 229 College Street in Wadsworth became a reality and an answer to prayers in the summer of 2011. Our newly reconditioned building--cleaned, repaired and painted by our volunteers--allows us to store materials and supplies, gives us space for meetings and well-organized areas for working on the complete construction of the dolls.
Stop in any Tuesday or Thursday from 10am to 2pm to watch dolls being made, talk to volunteers, hear about the scope of our outreach or find out how you can get involved.
The Giving Doll Shop
229 College Street
Wadsworth, Ohio 44281
Tuesdays and Thursdays 10am - 2pm