Baby dolls and blankets for them are plentiful in most parts ofthe world. In many areas of Honduras, though, such items are rare,but not for long — thanks to the hard work of several churches,schools, businesses and a nursing home in Lincoln County.

The project, called Operation Baby Dolls for Honduras, began inAugust when church members at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church decided tojoin with others to send needed items to the Honduras BaptistDental Mission Inc.

“We always send care packages with toothbrushes, soap and thingslike that. This year we decided to send baby dolls with blankets inaddition,” said Marion Moss, the pastor’s wife and one of theproject coordinators.

She and many other women in the area began collecting new andused dolls through churches and schools in November, finding atremendous response in the area.

“We probably have 350 baby dolls that we will clean up, mend ifnecessary, and re-dress,” she said. Moss and some other members ofthe church have made outfits for the dolls.

The group realized their gifts wouldn’t be complete without babyblankets, so they began to look for someone to help in thatarea.

Several residents of Beverly Healthcare-Brookhaven took on theproject as a mission and began sewing blankets to accompany thedolls.

Activities director Jenny Scott said the project was verymeaningful to the residents and made them see what a differencethey could make.

“They’ve had a lot of fun with it and have worked on theblankets diligently,” she said.

Moss noted that Operation Baby Dolls for Honduras was also aworthwhile venture for school children who were learning theimportance of giving to others.

“I thought it was a good project for the children because itdidn’t cost them anything since they gave used baby dolls, and ittaught them a lot about helping others,” said Moss.

The dolls have to be ready for shipment by April 1 but won’tarrive in Honduras for a couple of months due to shippingprocedures and customs.

Anyone wishing to donate dolls, blankets or money to covershipping costs, can contact the Lincoln County Baptist Associationat 833-8111, or Marion Moss at 833-8858.