The Doll Project

Over the course of several months, Citrus Heights Kiwanis distributed hand-sewn dolls to a nearby hospital and local police department. This projected was under the umbrella of the Pediatric Trauma Program.

According to the PTP Website, “Pediatric Trauma remains the leading cause of death and injury among children ages 14 and under in the United States. The mission of our Pediatric Trauma Program (PTP) is to develop local projects which will reduce the number of children in our three-state District who are killed or injured by trauma, ensuring all children live happy, healthy and safe lives.”

Inspired by a similar project in Elk Grove, our mission was to provide dolls to young children in hospitals to serve as companions, “boredom busters,” and doctors’ aids for explaining to them how they would be operated on during surgery.

Members of our club, alongside members of a church in Citrus Heights, personally sewed, stuffed, and slip-stitched 75 dolls for children in need. 50 went to the Roseville hospital; 25 went to the Citrus Heights Police Department. Ryan, a former member before he went on to become the police chief in another city, had the idea to distribute these dolls to children who were victims of crimes. Lieutenant Mike Wells, current Citrus Heights police officer, made that dream a reality.