- Special Dollivery, a Utah nonprofit, has donated over 4,000 American Girl dolls.
- Founder Susan Robison started the initiative in 2012 to aid Foster children.
- Dolls come with outfits, accessories and career-focused materials to inspire children's dreams.
SALT LAKE CITY — It can change a child's world to open a case complete with an American Girl Doll, numerous outfits and accessories to go along with her. And when that child is one who would typically not receive such a gift, the surprise and impact are all the more special.
Moments like this are made possible for foster children every day through Special Dollivery, a Utah-based nonprofit organization that provides dolls to children who need them most.
Special Dollivery was started by Susan Robison in 2012 when she heard her young daughter and her friends discussing who had and didn't have American Girl Dolls.
"It elevated her status in the world or something," Robison laughed. "It was cute in a way, but it also broke my heart. ... I began thinking about making this happen for any kid."
With the desire to help kids out, Robison took an American Girl Doll and donated it to the local foster care administration location.
"The response was so lovely that I thought, 'I'm going to do more of this,'" Robison said.
She quickly placed an ad on Facebook groups dedicated to all things doll-related. The response was incredible, she said. People from all over the doll community reached out to help her find dolls, clothing, cases and everything needed to provide dolls for the kids.
Thirteen years later, Special Dollivery has donated over 4,000 dolls to children in need.
Each doll must undergo a process to be child-ready. Fixing hair, rethreading limbs and removing items such as nail polish from a doll are all necessities before a doll is donated.
Once the doll itself is ready, volunteers package the doll's wardrobe. Seamstresses from all over the world have donated items for the dolls. Thanks to donations, each doll gets over five outfits and different accessories as well. A handmade quilt is also included in the package. Each item is placed into a doll-carrying bag, helping to elevate the doll experience for the children.
"I think as they care for and comfort their dolls, it helps comfort themselves. Some of these kids are in really rough situations," Robison shared.
While Special Dollivery continually works on donations for foster children, they also work with donation requests for other girls in need and have even helped to provide dolls in appropriate and culture-relevant outfits for Afghan refugee children.
Teaching a love of service
One of the highlights of Special Dollivery's service schedule is the annual doll event. Young people from all over the community gather together to prepare over 200 dolls. They choose everything for the child — the doll, her clothing and the carrier bag.
"It's really changing the world. Kids who serve become adults who serve. It's really important. I have a project here that connects with kids," Robison said. "It means something to them, and it could bring you to tears to watch these kids. They want it to be perfect."
Special Dollivery welcomes kids of all ages to participate in the program. In more than a decade of volunteering, not a single child has asked to keep the dolls they prepared.
"It blows your mind. They are smart, they're compassionate and they understand; it's a beautiful thing to watch," Robison said. "It's our little way of changing the world to teach kids to love service."
The impact of Special Dollivery
Throughout the years of service, Special Dollivery has seen firsthand how the dolls can make an impact in a child's life.
"I believe that dolls are a way to help encourage children to dream their dreams," Robison shared.
To help encourage their dreams, each doll comes with a career-focused outfit and a card sharing the steps to the career, the education needed and how the doll will "give back" to the community. The hope is that the positive career role model will inspire children to dream of how they can change their lives and the world for the better.
"We are on Earth to be a force for good. It's as simple as that. Service is a little selfish because of what you get from it. Certainly, the people you share with benefit greatly, but the happiness for yourself is phenomenal," Robison said. "You hear about people chasing happiness. This is where it is. Give yourself to others and suddenly you find the happiness you've searched for all your life."
For more information or to become involved with Special Dollivery, visit the organization's website or follow Special Dollivery's Facebook page. You can also contact the nonprofit via email at specialdollivery@gmail.com.
