Mark Your Calendars: World Doll Day Toy Drive

It’s that time again! World Doll Day is Saturday, June 10th, 2017. Started by Mildred Seeley in 1986, the day is one of celebration for doll collectors. World Doll Day began with a letter, which is copied below. (Keep reading for information on our first ever World Doll Day Toy Drive!)

World Doll Day Logo

So, you have not heard of World Doll Day? This is not surprising as of an hour ago, I hadn’t conceived the idea. To make it happen. I need cooperation of every doll collector, every magazine editor, doll newsletter, doll shop, library, doll maker, mother, grand­mother, father, grandfather, and all the stray aunts and uncles. The first World Doll Day is the Second Saturday of June 1986. Give a doll to a grownup, child in the family or just a friend. If you don’t have a child to give a doll to – find one. There are many children with no dolls.

Think of it this way and ship a doll to another country. I have always felt that the common doll could be an instrument of world understanding. From the first time I started writing books on doll making, I had the hope that dolls would help make friends all over the world and develop a little love among all.

World Doll Day will also be a day for doll exhibits. It is my hope that all libraries will have a special doll exhibit. Museums will publicize their doll exhibits and have special doll exhibits at this time. Magazines will put out special editions. Doll stores will put on campaigns weeks ahead. Doll Makers will make special dolls for World Doll Day. There will be doll competitions with World Doll Day awards, plaques and trophies.

The logo is made from artist Boots Tyner’s doll representing a child. The child carries a German bisque doll to represent this doll collectors gift. Feel free to copy the logo or have one made.

Everyone can enjoy the fun as there are no fees, no permission needed, no obligations, nobody owns the day, no club, no company. It’s a free- for- all, take up the day, its ideas and fly with it. Lets do it now. World Doll Day.

If you think World Doll Day is a good idea, then appoint yourself a committee of one to do something about it–only then can it become a reality. Would you tell five people, ask them to tell five people, and each of them tell five people and so on. World Doll Day’s birthday is June 14, 1986.

Sincerely,
Mil and Vernon Seeley

P.S. This letter may be copied and copied again and again until the world knows about World Doll Day.

I know it’s only the tail end of March and June seems quite far away, but trust me, World Doll Day likes to sneak up on you (or me, at least). In celebration of the day, Confessions of a Doll Collectors Daughter, in connection with the Pullip and Dal Doll Lovers Event (PUDDLE), will be celebrating by collecting new, in box dolls, toys or Amazon gift cards for the Marillac St. Vincent Christmas Store.

For over 60 years, Marillac St. Vincent has been opening its doors to families in need during the holidays with their annual Christmas Store. What is the Christmas Store, you ask? Every year Marillac St. Vincent Family Services invites parents, grandparents, and child guardians that they serve throughout the year, to sign up for the Christmas Store. On the Saturday before Christmas, registered families get to “shop” for toys, stocking stuffers, books, games, clothes, and stuffed animals for each of their children, have their gifts wrapped, and finally, leave with a full bag of food – enough to make a big meal on Christmas day complete with a turkey!

The Christmas Store is a fun shopping experience for parents and grandparents, giving them agency to choose the toys that best suit their children’s interests. Their Christmas sale serves over 250 families, which accounts for 800-1100 children, who may not have received holiday presents otherwise.

In honor of World Doll Day, I will be opening a special mailbox for the donation of dolls and toys for ages 0-12. Marillac St. Vincent Family Services has an Amazon.com wishlist to give you an idea of what they are looking for. However, any new doll or toy is fine! (Please stay away from ‘weapon’ type toys, per Marillac St. Vincent Family Services).

In an effort to give you time to find good prices and/or sales, the donation window is pretty long– May 1st thru June 30th. If you’d prefer to forgo shipping costs, you can also e-mail or snail mail me a gift card to Amazon. (I’ll use the gift cards to order toys directly from the site to my house for this cause.) Please leave your name and mailing address somewhere inside your package or e-mail. Donations are tax-deductible, so save those receipts!

But, wait, there’s more! Are you attending the Pullip and Dal Doll Lovers Event, aka PUDDLE? If so, you can donate directly at the event! Jane (of PUDDLE) has agreed to give one free raffle ticket to anyone who brings a doll or toy for donation! We’ll have a donation bin handy for you to drop your donation off in the main convention room. PUDDLE is a great day to donate, because it falls literally on World Doll Day! If you’re going to PUDDLE, but would rather send your donation off early, that’s fine, too, but please remember to let me know that you’re attending the show so we can get you a raffle ticket.

As this is my first time hosting a toy drive, I’m not sure of what kind of goal to set. If we can get at least 50 dolls and toys for this great cause, I’ll be happy. Keep your eyes peeled for another post with information on the mailing address and e-mail for online gift cards, which will be posted early April. Until then, keep this in the back of your mind and if you see an amazing deal (like a $3.00 Prettie Girls: Tween Scene), consider picking it up for Confessions of a Doll Collectors Daughter’s World Doll Day Toy Drive!

In the meantime, what plans are you concocting for World Doll Day? Share them in the comment area!