Gold Country Kiwanis Hospital Dolls on Display

   (click here for a preview of the dolls)  

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time.  It’s motto is “Serving the Children of the World”.  The members of our local Gold Country Kiwanis, are

men and women wishing to build a better human society and to provide service to the community.  They are always unpaid volunteers.

The Kiwanis Hospital Doll is a cotton doll about 15 inches high stuffed with polyester or cotton.  These dolls are offered to children who enter the hospital or care center.  The doll will help the child who is scared about what may happen to them while being in an unknown environment.  As well as being a toy to make their stay in the hospital more pleasant, the Kiwanis Doll will also be the means to express what they feel (pain, anger, etc) and help them to master the fear and anguish within themselves. The Kiwanis Doll can be used to explain to the young patients the treatment procedure and the surgery the child will have to endure.  For example, if the child has to be sutured, the medical staff can comfort him/her by simulating the operation on the doll. Or, if a child needs medication or oxygen mask, these processes can be placed first on the doll to explain to the child how it works. So, with the help of a nurse or doctor the child is assisted in understanding a procedure.  The doll aids the child to more easily accept the situation and may help alleviate his/her fears.

The Kiwanis Doll is a toy but is also a way of expressing something.  Each child can draw and paint on the doll as he/she wishes.  For a great number of children it is a question of a really amusing experience and a good way to spend the time. 

The Kiwanis Doll can also constitute an ideal aid for the children needing to have a psychological follow-up.  Thanks to the Kiwanis Doll all procedures may be less traumatic.

Finally, the children keep the doll when they leave to go back home.

Our goal is to supply a Kiwanis Hospital Doll to children up to 15 years old who must enter and stay in a hospital and/or children’s care center.

Questions:  Jan Nottingham at jan@hjmanor.com or the Gold Country Kiwanis President Lew Aebersold at office@oldbarnstorage.com.