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ICROSS Canada

THE DOLLS OF JOY

The use of comfort dolls began in 1998 when the first medical supplies were sent. Many of the supplies in the original shipment were made of glass (test tubes, glass vials etc.). The little knitted dolls were placed in the box as packing to protect the valuable medical supplies. As it turned out, the dolls became one of the most popular donations. ICROSS CANADA continues to stress the “I” in International Community for the Relief of Starvation and Suffering. Izzy Comfort Dolls are known in the far corners of our globe and continue to bring joy to the children of the poor in the 3rd world.

The Ladies Of The Dolls Of Joy: Mrs Carol Isfeld Of Courtenay, BC (Left – founder of the movement) with Mrs Grace Race of Victoria, BC (right: Knitter and ardent supporter of ICROSS and the Izzy Doll Program) Community Working Bee: Friends gather at a local school in a community effort to make African and Izzy Comfort Dolls The “Makings”: Wool, filling, and other materials are gathered to create more African and Izzy Comfort Dolls So Very Greatly Appreciated! 88 years old Janet Bordon is presented with the ICROSS CANADA Certificate of Appreciation by Sandy Howell, Vancouver Director of ICROSS CANADA Scottie Starr, sadly now deceased, helps Billy Willbond load African Comfort Dolls for inclusion with the 2004 Medical Supply Container to Kenya Amazing Discovery: African Comfort Dolls Wearing Toronto Maple Leafs Jersey Dolls knitted and created by Sue Smith of Galiano Island B.C. Samburu Reserve, East Africa – December 2004: Just look at the smiles on their faces! These children have probably never before owned anything of their own, let alone a doll Samburu Reserve, East Africa – December 2004: Children are children... and dolls are the stuff of childhood and love... and so the camera records! Samburu Reserve, East Africa – December 2004: No, ‘tis not an albino African Comfort Doll – this one was probably orignially destined for Bosnia or Afghanistan... but was fated for this little girl Orphaned Child and African Comfort Doll. Often the dolls are the first toys these children have ever seen, let alone owned for themselves. Resilience is... Orphaned Christian lads enjoy a meal and their African Comfort Dolls. The Reason they’re called “The Dolls of Joy”. Destitute African Children display their joy at receiving the gift of love in the form of an African Comfort Doll. Gulf Island Director of ICROSS CANADA, Mollie Colson presents “Knitting Certificate of Appreciation” to Mrs. Grace Race Kylie and Taylor Pai display Comfort Dolls, knitted by theirGrannie, Mom, and friends, and destined for Malawi. Comfort Dolls destined for Kenya. A day-long Knitting Workshop at the Main Street Yarn Shoppe in Milton, Ontario produced over 200 Dolls of Joy. Mike Comeau (Ontario Provincial Director of ICROSS CANADA) accepts the Dolls on behalf of ICROSS “Mollie’s Dollies” bringing smiles to the faces of children in INDIA. “Mollie’s Dollies” bringing smiles to the faces of children in INDIA.