American Girl has designed special dolls to honor heroes nominated by kids during the pandemic. As part of its Heroes with Heart contest, kids were able to nominate a hero who made a difference during COVID. The five winners received a custom-made, one-of-a-kind American Girl doll made in their likeness – and the nominator received a $200 American Girl gift card.
The popular American Girl dolls, owned by Mattel, received more than one thousand heartfelt nominations for the contest. One of the selected heroes, April O’Quinn, 39, a paramedic from Virginia, was nominated by her niece, Lacey. The young girl wrote about how her aunt did her job, sometimes without needed PPE, and how she actually contracted COVID-19, recovered and went right back to work helping others.
American Girl
The doll fashioned after April features her same blue uniform, brown curly hair and red Rosie the Riveter-style headband.
American Girl announced the winners on its website in a celebration of frontline heroes.
“American Girl thanks and honors the courageous and compassionate heroes who have risked their lives during the COVID-19 pandemic,” says the website. “Whether you’re providing healthcare, keeping families stocked with food and supplies, or making sure cities keep running, we owe you a huge thanks.”
American Girl
Some of the other hero dolls include Xavier, a 17-year old grocery store worker who did his job even though he suffers from asthma, Sarah, a caregiver who fed the homeless in her community, Pam, a teacher who visited each of her students’ houses and Laurent, a pilot for Spirit airlines who flew doctors American doctors to Haiti to fight COVID.
Although the dolls were created specifically for the contest winners and are not available to purchase, AG fans can join the #ThankYouHeroes campaign by purchasing a limited-edition scrubs outfit for a doll. For every outfit sold, American Girl will donate a doll craft activity book to First Responders Children’s Foundation.
American Girl
There’s also a cute doll mask craft that you and your girl can try together at home.
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