Do you remember when you got your first Barbie? I do! My parents were visiting friends in Northam. I remember my mom’s face when she gave me that Barbie doll in a pink and purple jumpsuit. I remember holding her while still in that box and admiring her beautiful blue eyes, shiny blonde curls and soft pink lipstick. She was the most beautiful thing I ever owned.
Imagine if you could do the same for another little girl when you buy a Barbie for your own little girl…
Mattel South Africa recently announced that, as part of its Barbie #ThankYouHeroes programme, it will donate a Barbie doll for each eligible career doll purchased from ToysRUs stores nation-wide. This initiative taking place from the 3rd of August 2020 to the 31st of August 2020, is aiming to donate about 1500 dolls to the Children’s Hospital Trust (CHT).
The CHT is an NPO that raises funds to advance child healthcare through the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital. From upgrades to its buildings and facilities, to the implementation of several projects and programmes and upskilling of medical professionals from across Africa.
The Barbie #ThankYouHeroes programme is part of Mattel’s broader “Play it Forward” platform, which focuses on leveraging Mattel brands to give back to communities in times of need.
The ‘buy a doll, donate a doll’ initiative will see dolls handed over to the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital will then be distributed to patients diagnosed with the corona virus. The aim is to bring joy and encourage children to aspire to become whatever they would like to be in the world.
