November 9, 2009 (Denver, Colorado) -
Dolls for Daughters, a nonprofit organization started by Jessica Bachus in 2007 after the loss of her daughter Kenzi, begins its annual holiday drive today to collect new, unwrapped dolls for children facing homelessness, poverty, abuse and neglect.
Dolls for Daughters gives doll donations to families served by
Denver Children's Home,
SafeHouse Denver,
Samaritan House,
The Gathering Place,
Warren Village and other charities for children who would not otherwise receive a gift during the holidays.
The Gathering Place supports women and their children experiencing poverty and homeless by providing a safe daytime refuge and resources for self-sufficiency.
"Each year, we set up our Children's Gift Shop," explained Justine Zollo, vice president of volunteer resources at The Gathering Place. "We need gift cards from retail and grocery stores for gifts and holiday meals in addition to dolls and other toys for kids," she added.
"Last year, a mother came to the Children's Gift Shop with her three little girls. She was doing an incredible job handling difficult circumstances including a house fire that damaged most of their belongings. She walked up to the dolls donated by Dolls for Daughters and burst into tears. 'I didn't think I was going to be able to give my daughters anything this year,' she explained as she hugged everyone in the room," said Zollo.
Dolls for Daughters partners with the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association and other businesses serving as donors and drop-off locations such as
the McFarland Law Offices at 910 13 th St., Suite 200 and Pason Systems USA at 16100 Table Mountain Parkway, Ste 100 in Golden. To find drop-off locations or make a donation online, visit
www.dollsfordaughters.com. The holiday drive ends Dec. 18.
"This time of year is hard for me and my family," said Bachus. "Dolls for Daughters is my way to honor Kenzi and the life she would have lived."
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About Dolls for Daughters
Jessica Bachus created Dolls for Daughters in December 2007 in memory of her daughter Kenzi Bachus who was stillborn.
The Dolls for Daughters mission is to put a simple smile on the faces of underprivileged children, and to help struggling families get on their feet in the Denver Metro Community. Dolls for Daughters is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization.
Dolls for Daughters
PO Box 202095, Denver, CO80220
www.dollsfordaughters.com