Fifth grader aims to donate 1,000 Barbie dolls for Christmas
Fifth grader aims to donate 1,000 Barbie dolls for Christmas
BY WENDELL HUTSON, Contributing Writer
A fifth grader whose favorite class is science, plans to give away Barbie dolls to girls living in poor neighborhoods as a way to give back to the community during Christmas.
The goal is to collect 1,000 Barbie dolls at the 4th Annual Josilyn’s Barbie Brunch, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22 at The Promontory, 5311 S. Lake Park Ave. Organizers said the last three brunches, which included refreshments, were held at The Velvet Lounge, 67 E. Cermak Road, but was moved this year to a bigger venue to accommodate the growing attendees.
Dolls received at the brunch will be donated to LaRabida Children’s Hospital, Chicago
Housing Authority and the nonprofit Ada S. McKinley Youth Services which will distribute them to young girls living in economically challenged neighborhoods, such as Roseland, Englewood and North Lawndale. For the last three years, organizers said 1,000 Barbie dolls were collected at the brunch.
Many girls living in impoverished neighborhoods have never had a Barbie doll before, said Josilyn Martin-Richardson, 11, who wants to become an attorney.
“I collect Barbie dolls and have a collection at home but for a lot of girls they never had
a Barbie doll,” said Martin-Richardson, who shares the same last names as her grandfather and father. “I think every girl should have a Barbie doll before they grow up.”
Martin-Richardson, who lives in south suburban Richton Park, got the idea to collect and donate Barbie dolls four years ago when she met another little girl at the park who never had a Barbie doll.
“I was at the park with my grandmother playing with my Barbie dolls and I met this girl who started playing with me and my Barbie dolls,” recalled Martin-Richardson. “She told me she never had a Barbie doll so I offered to give her one of mines since I had three.
That’s when I decided to collect Barbie dolls to give away.” Giving away dolls is nothing new for Martin- Richardson, who said she does so “because it is the right thing to do. After all, it’s Christmas time and that’s a time to bring smiles to other people.”
Among the donations received each year at the brunch are hundreds of Barbie dolls from the toy’s manufacturer Mattell, according to Kellie Martin, Josilyn’s mother.
“Anyone unable to attend the brunch but would like to make a donation instead, please do so online through PayPal and the email kelliec.martin@ gmail.com,” said Martin. And ‘Barbie Brunch’should be written in the comment section.
And as much as Martin-Richardson loves Barbie dolls it is not what she wants for Christmas.
“I’m hoping to get a lot of color pencils for Christmas because I like to draw in coloring books,” said Martin-Richardson, whose favorite color is purple. “Besides coloring, I like to read and watch TV. My favorite TV show is the Gilmore Girls.”
At an age when most children look forward to receiving toys for Christmas Martin-Richardson said she is my excited about helping people.
“For me, Christmas is a time to give back. If you don’t get anything but $1 I feel you should be grateful because there are some kids who do not get anything for Christmas,” she said. “Christmas is a normal day for them.”
Latest Stories
- CTU Gathers with Faith-based Leaders to Highlight Recent Tentative Agreement Wins for Students and Educators
- COOK COUNTY COMMISSIONER KISHA MCCASKILL TAKES CENTER STAGE AS SOUTH SUBURBAN COMMUNITY UNITES FOR A GREENER FUTURE
- RICH TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR CALVIN JORDAN LEADS HEARTWARMING SPRING CELEBRATION FOR HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES WITH “EASTER JAMBOREE” CELEBRATION
- Local Musician’s Career Spans 50 Years
- Have Questions About Money? The Illinois State Treasurer’s Office Can Help
Latest Podcast
STARR Community Services International, Inc.
