A Barbie for each girl
A group of Highway women banded together to ensure the girls at St Anne's Home each received a Barbie doll this Christmas.
FATHER Christmas paid an early visit to the girls from St Anne’s Home at their Christmas party at Crocworld, delivering nearly 50 Barbie Dolls, lovingly collected and dressed by four women from Hillcrest.
Surprising the little girls from St Anne’s Home in Umzinto, the man in the red suit, and an enchanting Christmas Fairy with glittering crown, wand, and wings with flashing lights, handed out the beautifully wrapped dolls and other gifts to the excited children. The event, from raising funds for the Christmas party at Crocworld to the collection and making of clothes was done by local charity, Holding Hands.
The Barbie doll collection began six months ago when Leanne Richards decided that every little girl from St Anne’s should be given her own doll for Christmas. She spoke to her friend Avril Fish and from there, she said, the wheels of the project began to turn.
Avril then spoke to Sharon Smith, a close friend and a serial Barbie Doll dresser, who in turn asked for more help from the members of the Hillcrest Tennis Club. The group of women then sourced Barbie Dolls, refurbished them and started to hand-knit outfits for each doll (including hats and underclothes). “Avril’s dining room table was soon covered by a Barbie revolution!” exclaimed Leanne Richards, a member of Holding Hands.
“Local business contributed generously to a fund, organised by the Holding Hands group, and local merchants provided generous discounts on party fare. The group of children were delivered safely by Singh’s Bus Tours to Crocworld from the Home and the children had a wonderful day and lots of good food. Holding Hands thanks everyone who contributed to this special event. We were later told that the little girls fell asleep with smiles on their faces,” said Leanne.
