Doll, toy, bear show to benefit House of Hope
Published 12:00 am Saturday, April 19, 2003
The annual Doll, Toy and Teddy Bear Show and Sale will be from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, April 27, at Northbridge Mall. This is the third year the MN/IA Border Woman-in-the-Shoe Doll Club has hosted the event.
Some 60 vendors are expected at the show. Proceeds from table rentals will again benefit the House of Hope, a facility to provide comfortable, convenient, affordable housing for Albert Lea Medical Center patients and their family members.
In addition, House of Hope volunteers will have an information table and bake sale. There will be a variety of items available, including pies.
The House of Hope’s board of directors hopes to retire the mortgage on the house. While the house has never reached full capacity, the House of Hope’s board of directors made the decision to extend accommodations to out-of-town guests of nursing home residents and those from out-of-town during times of bereavement, said board member Joyce Shaman.
Shaman said 29 guests occupied the House of Hope for 145 days last year, a dramatic increase over the previous year.
&uot;With a new oncologist joining the staff of the Regional Cancer Center, we may see an increase in the number of people coming from out of town for treatments,&uot; Shaman said.
Last year’s show raised about $1,200 for the House of Hope, said Karen Callahan, doll club member.
Dealers are coming from all over for the event, including Nebraska, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota and Minnesota, she said.
Doll appraisals, at $3 per doll, will be offered.
While there is no charge to attend the doll, bear and toy show, for a $1 donation people can get chances on prizes. Aimee and Ole Olson of Foto Factory have donated a baby doll to be given away. The doll club will also give away a doll and accessories.
The Story Lady Doll & Toy Museum, 131 N. Broadway Ave., will also be open from 1-3 p.m. that day.