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Join Christmas Doll Foundation in our mission to bring joy and love during Christmas
About Christmas Doll Foundation
Our Mission
At the Christmas Doll Foundation, our mission is to illuminate the holiday season with the warmth of God's love by bringing Christmas joy to families in need and providing opportunities to the community to serve. We are dedicated to ensuring that every child and family, regardless of their financial circumstances, can experience the magic and wonder of Christmas. Through acts of compassion, generosity, and community spirit, we aim to create memorable and heartwarming moments that not only brighten the holidays but also remind us of the goodness of God's grace. Our commitment is to spread love, hope, and festivity, uniting our community in the spirit of giving and faith as we make Christmas a time of cherished memories and blessings for all.
The Christmas Doll Story
In a small town called Jerome, Idaho, classmates gathered together as they began picking names from a hat to decide who they’d give presents to as part of their yearly Christmas tradition. This year, a 9-year-old boy named W. Eugene Gibbons nervously picked a name he didn't want. It was a girl who rarely got presents, and when she did, they weren't great. Often nothing or coal as a joke. Coming from poverty, she didn't have fancy clothes, her hair was messy, and she didn't always smell nice. She was stereotyped as an oddball with no friends. Eugene wished he had picked anyone else.
After grabbing the name, Eugene went home, and when his siblings excitedly told their mom whose names they got, Eugene stayed quiet. His mom, Madge Gibbons, sensed that something was wrong. As days passed and the day of the Christmas party arrived, Eugene began to start his walk to school when his mother stopped him and gave him a beautifully wrapped gift to give to the girl whose name he had picked. She sensed something was off and had found the name left in his coat pocket.
Feeling a bit embarrassed and unsure, Eugene took the gift to school. Instead of bringing nothing, as he had planned, he discreetly left the present under the Christmas tree. As the class opened their gifts, the girl who usually got very little stayed at the back of the classroom, not expecting much. To everyone's surprise, she got a present this time.
Eugene watched as she unwrapped the box to find a beautiful porcelain doll. It was a nicer gift than Eugene or his siblings had ever received. The girl hugged the doll, tears of happiness streaming down her face. His mother had recognized the name and knew the struggles this little girl's family had been going through.
This Christmas experience taught Eugene a valuable lesson about spreading love and miracles during the holiday season.
As years went by, Eugene grew up to be someone who dedicated his life to helping others. He served his community, worked in mental health and social work, and even founded the BYU Social Work Program. His work and legacy have positively affected generations of individuals and families. This article honors Eugene and his mom, Madge, recognizing their passion for loving and serving others.
Our Story
Co-founders, Eric Gibbons and his wife Nikki Sever Gibbons both came from service-oriented families. Though the foundation is named after a story relating to Eugene and Madge Gibbons that is only part of the "why" behind this foundation. Nikki Gibbons father Richard Sever would find others in need every Christmas and quite literally give them the shirt off of his back, even when he and his family were severely struggling financially. He did this to show his family the importance of charity and that tradition has continued today!
Every year, thousands of families won't have a Christmas or could use additional financial burdens lifted during the holiday season. Rather than serving just one family per year, Kassidi Wright and her husband Grant have made a mission to support more families each Christmas by involving the community.
This foundation is dedicated to Richard & Marilyn Sever and Eugene & Evelyn Gibbons whose big hearts developed a ripple effect of love and generosity.
Want to get involved? Or know someone who needs help?
If you would like to get involved - please reach out to the attached phone number or email for next steps!
Options for involvement include sponsoring a family, donations, or service.