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SCHENECTADY -- Staffers at The Salvation Army
Evangeline Booth Miracle Home have come up with a unique twist to raising money
to support their work with homeless women and children -- finding homes for
hand-crafted dolls.
Dubbed "Every Doll Needs a Home," the
annual auction features dolls donated by artists and crafters from all over the
U.S. and even some other counties. The 2009 event took place Thursday,
Sept. 24, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., in Schenectady County Community College's
Mohawk Room at 78 Washington Ave., Schenectady.
There is a live auction, along with a silent auction,
featuring new hand-crafted dolls as well as vintage and porcelain dolls, notes
House Manager Pamela Small, who helps coordinate the
event.
"The event is always a hit," says Booth Home
Director Marcy Hausman. "People have a lot of fun and are thrilled to
obtain fantastic gifts or some very unusual pieces for their
collection."
The annual fundraiser raises monies for updating the
home, making repairs, and bringing in educational and counseling programs, she
said.
"The Booth Home would like to do more than just put a
band-aid on the homeless situation," Hausman said. "Each woman should be given
the time and chance to learn to attend to all her needs."
She added: "A frequent question we get is, why are
these women and children homeless? Homelessness occurs for many reasons,
including fires, domestic violence, eviction, drug addiction, alcoholism,
mental illness, job loss, and medical problems. Many of the women are also
suffering from severe emotional trauma. We see all these problems at The Booth
Home and have learned that they are not insurmountable. With the right help and
support, miracles can and do happen."
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