I have vivid memories of flipping through the shiny American Girl Dolls catalog as a child. For hours. Circling… hoping, ooohing and aaahing. Later, I devoured the book series, learning and soaking up a bit of American history.
The Samantha doll I longed for never did end up under the Christmas tree. My mother had four girls to raise on her own, and there was no room in the budget for such luxuries (times four!)
Of course, I have since recovered and have two daughters of my own who happen to love the wholesome American Girl dolls. Thanks to two very generous Grandmas, and much to my surprise, two dolls now live in our home.
Imagine my delight when 20 years later, American Girl reached out to me to help spread the word about their new Shine On Now program. Since giving back is important to me, I happily hopped on board as an official “parent partner”.
Shine On Now is an initiative calling on girls from across the country to donate one million dollars in clothes, books, dolls and money to four charities:
- K.I.D.S (Kids In Distressed Situations)
- NACHRI (The National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions
- NWF (National Wildlife Federation)
- Save The Children
Starting now, girls can head over to Shine On Now and become official American Girl ambassadors to help with this amazing project. As an ambassador, they will receive a downloadable tool kit with ideas for ways to make a difference. It is wonderful to see American Girl using their wide influence to teach and challenge young girls to help others.
Now through July 31, help your daughter visit Shine On Now and “donate” up to 100 free stars a day. If a total of one million stars are collected, American Girl will donate one million dollars of books, clothes, dolls and money to the four charities.
Let’s help them reach their goal!
As a Parent Partner on this initiative, I also have the great pleasure of giving away one all new My American Girl doll to a deserving young lady. It is a fully customizable American Girl doll where you get to pick the hair color, length, eye color, skin color, even things such as glasses, braces and of course outfits and accessories.
Enter to win 1 My American Girl Doll to keep or donate:
1. Leave a comment below: How do you currently or plan to help in your community – big or small – with your children?
If you are reading via email or in a reader, please click through to the post to enter.
For up to (2) Bonus Entries (leave a separate comment for each)
2. If you are a subscriber or follower (thank you!), leave a comment. You may subscribe for free updates via RSSor email, and/or become a “fan” of KingdomFirstMom on Facebook.
3. Become a fan of Shine On Now on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.
This giveaway will end on Friday, July 30th at 11:59 pm CST. The winner will be drawn using Random.org, and notified via email. Open to U.S. residents only.
Disclosure: American Girl is sponsoring this giveaway and provided an additional doll for myself. I am choosing to donate it to local charity this Christmas. I received no monetary compensation for this post.
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I just subscribed to your e-mails.
I am now a facebook follower of Shine On Now as well. Thanks!
My daughter’s love to help other children including their two toddler sister’s. They try to be the best they can be!
My girls would love one!! Their friend just got Ruth.
Jeni Rule Reply:
July 14th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
@Jeni Rule,
Sorry, need to finish. My daughter instead of asking for gifts for herself on her 7th birthday, asked for sleeping bags to send on a mission trip to W. Virginia that I participated in. She was able to send 20 sleeping bags to help others keep warm during winter. She is a very giving and loving little girl. Thanks, Jeni
I subscribe to your emails and Facebook
Thanks for the giveaway!
my boys like to take outgrown clothes and toys to local shelters.
I’m a subscriber!
Thanks for the giveaway!
My twin girls donate toys to our local God’s Storehouse, as do my three boys. They enjoy knowing that other kids play with toys that they donated.
We voluenteer with our kids through our church
.-= Kim´s last blog ..Review of Gbaby Sea Set =-.
I like you on Facebook
.-= Kim´s last blog ..Review of Gbaby Sea Set =-.
I subscribe via e-mail
On June 2nd, I hosted a Family Fun Run in our neighborhood to encourage families to come out and get some fresh air and exercise together in celebration of National Running Day. Including my three children, we had about 20 kids who ran a half mile loop 2 times and all participated in a group stretch afterward. We look forward to hosting more of these events in our neighborhood and city to help children and families realize how fun it can be and how great it feels to exercise together!
Another way that my children like to help in our community is by donating to the “big barrel” at our local YMCA where we are members. Each time we go in the front door, there is a huge cylinder in the front entry – throughout the winter holidays it was for food donations where we choose to donate the suppies for a child’s birthday party (cake mix, frosting, candles, character plates and tableware and goodie bag toys) now they are collecting school supplies for local children. Each time we go in, my 7 year old daughter checks the big barrel to see how much has been collected, this week she said that she’d like to bring in the extra school supplies that her teacher sent home with her from school this year. She also really wants to be a teacher, so she is already thinking about what other kids in classrooms might need.
I LIKE Shine On on Facebook!
I am now following Shine On on Twitter
We donate food and clothing to a local shelter.
.-= Natasha Bowers´s last blog .. =-.
I follow you via email
I’m a “fan” of Shine on facebook
This upcoming school year my children will be helping out a non-profit gardening organization in our community…..in part, the organization educates children in how to grow their own food.
I subscribe to your RSS feed
Three years ago, my son and his wife along with some close friends started the Walk Now for Autism, Sacramento. In two years, they have raised awareness for Autism and over $500,000 for Autism Speaks. Our whole circle of friends and family have become involved to support this cause. It has been so beneficial in our community. Our next walk is in early October!
I subscribe via email
jcamp2020 at aol dot com
I follow Shine On Now on twitter
jcamp2020
HI I VOLUNTEER AT A ANIMAL SHELTER I BATH FEED TAKE OUT AND LOVE ANIMALS I DO IT WITH TO OF MY TWIN 12 YEAROLDS
We help the community by recycling and donating to those in need.
I teach an art class for preschoolers. I plan to make several pillow blanks and let each child paint a pillow with fabric paint. The pillows will be donated to the Children’s Hospital listed as one of the SHINE ON project.
I am your fan on facebook and subscribe!
I “like” SHINE ON on Facebook.
We work at our local non-profit- giving away food and clothing to needy families. My kids come along with me every week. They enjoy helping others carry out groceries or collecitng empty hangars to return to the clothing room. They also have an opportunity to play with children as their parents shop. Love that my kids are growing up serving.
My kids and I periodically go through their toys and choose ones to give to charity.
We try to donate clothes and toys to children who can use them, and we go to visit people in an ALF frequently. I would LOVE to take my kids on a mission trip when they are older!
I’m now a subscriber!
.-= Christy´s last blog ..Just some fun videos to share - =-.
I am a fan on FB.
.-= Christy´s last blog ..Just some fun videos to share - =-.
I’m also a fan of Shine on Now on FB.
A group of us women work for “More than a meal” in our town. It is run by local women who donate their time, supplies, food and cooking skills to create a meal for the homeless in our town. We also collect school supplies and personal hygiene products for them as well and tutoring for the children. We can take our children and involve them in the preparing and serving! It is a great way for them to learn empathy and appreciate what they have!
We donate food to local food pantries. We also donate toiletries to the women’s shelter.
I am an e-mail subscriber!
I am following Shine on Now on Twitter.
I am a Keeping the Kingdom First Facebook fan!
I am a Shine on Now Facebook fan!
We participate in community projects through our church and schools. We also compost our food scraps and yard waste to keep out of landfill. We also have a herb garden and only use organic and earthsafe methods for our lawn and garden.
I am a subscriber on RSS
i lead a week of church camp for ~75 jr / sr high kids. my own children (ages 5, 2 1.2, and 6 months) have come along with me every year.
i plan on having a great american bake sale to go along with my garage sale next month. Proceeds help the needy
We’re always looking for opportunities to help and serve in the community. Luckily between scouts, sports, and clubs, there are always community service projects to assist with. The best feeling, is when you realize that your kids are actually thrilled to serve.
We give gifts to a couple of “Angel Tree” children every Christmas. My girls are little, but as they get older I hope to expand our charitable efforts together.
I subscribe on Google reader.
.-= Liz @ Frugally Blonde´s last blog ..Wegmans Deals- 7-18-7-24 =-.
I volunteer as a 4-H leader in our community. It’s a great way to expose kids to things that they would never have an opportunity to do in their own home.
We are involved in Girl Scouts. We have many oppertunities to volunteer. Recently we planted flowers for the church that sponsers us. We have helped out by giving to the local food bank.
I follow you on facebook.
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