It began with a telephone call from Jerry Thompson of Wade Correctional Facility in the fall of 1998. Thompson called then LSU AgCenter Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent Dora Ann Hatch to ask if she knew of any group who would like to become involved in making dolls for the wooden toys made by the inmates at Wade. He explained that the inmates made toys each year to give to underprivileged children and the wooden toys needed a lovable, cuddly doll. Hatch agreed to ask members of the LSU AgCenter sponsored Family Community and Education Clubs at their next council meeting. Hatch explained to the council that Thompson had requested 100 dolls by the first of December. The council voted to assist Thompson. They immediately selected a simple doll pattern, perfected face painting, learned how to stuff dolls, and learned the art of assembly line work to meet the deadline.
Hatch invited Thompson to the next FCE Council Meeting in September of 1998 to meet the aspiring doll makers. After praising the women for their kindness he thanked them for agreeing to make 400 dolls by Christmas. Startled, to hear they were now making 400 dolls instead of 100, they turned to Hatch with questions. Hatch equally startled, asked Thompson when the number was increased. Thompson simply said, “Oh, if can’t do it, that’s okay, but it would sure be nice.” That became a challenge for the new doll makers and they rose to occasion. That year they made 456 dolls. In fact, they have never made less than 400 dolls since their historic beginning in 1998 and have never had a break in service.
So, who are these doll makers? The backbone of the doll makers have been women associated with the LSU AgCenter’s Extension programs in ad
ult education. The women have cut, sewn, and stitched over the years in a number of places in Homer and presently meet in the Claiborne Parish Police Jury Office Complex. While the majority of doll makers are affiliated with the LSU AgCenter’s Extension Service programs, many other ladies in the community have joined in the fun through the years and made contributions of doll making materials.
This year, the doll makers asked for donations from Fairfield Processing Corporation of Connecticut and received twenty-five pounds of stuffing.
The dolls are unique and one of a kind. The doll makers have made in excess of 4,000 dolls in these 10 years. Thanks, Jerry Thompson, for asking.
FYI
List of Claiborne Community Service Club ladies who made dolls in 2007:
Bobbie Anderson, Joy Anderson, Frances Anglin, Kathleen Bryan, Linda Dean, Nurlie Foster, Maxie Garrett, Nora Garrett, Lillie Harper, Edith Hausman, Freda Hinze, Virginia Hollenshead, Shirley Joslin, Jane Morelock, Bettye Jo Perry, Peggy Pike, Erline Richardson, Elizabeth Rogers, Betty Smith