Marjorie Rivers Creates 400 Izzy Dolls for RCL Branch No. 39

Marjorie Rivers Creates 400 Izzy Dolls for RCL Branch No. 39

Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent

Marjorie Rivers has made over 400 Izzy Dolls to date. Her special project all started when her daughter Brenda Robinson, who lives in Viking and works at St. Joseph’s General Hospital in Vegreville, noticed an ad from Royal CanadianLegion Branch No. 39 asking people to create Izzy Dolls.

Marjorie, who lives in the Olds area, said she has 50 more Izzy Dolls that she recently made and wants to send to her daughter to give to the Legion.

Marjorie with about 50 of the 400 Izzy Dolls she made.

(Wayne Rivers/Submitted Photo)

“My daughter referred me to this charity because I love to knit. I have been knitting ever since I was young where I taught myself to knit. In the past, I have knitted many things for non-profit projects in Olds. It took me about three or four years to make these 400 dolls. The Legion sent me a pattern to make them. Now, I am so used to making them, I don’t need a pattern anymore. People give me wool to make these dolls. I could probably do about three a day while I am watching television.”

Diane Fausak, Past President of RCL Branch No. 39, said Izzy Dolls are a Canadian Gift of Peace and Comfort to traumatized children of the world. The idea was created by a Canadian soldier’s mother who knitted dolls for her son and his fellow soldiers to keep in their breast pockets when on duty to specifically be given to the children in war-torn countries and regions affected by natural disasters.

“Marjorie has contributed over 400 Izzy Dolls to the Vegreville RCL Branch No. 39 and we, in turn, dispense them. Marjorie has given a tremendous amount of volunteer hours. We are presently forwarding these dolls to Health Partners International of Canada (HPIC). These Izzy Dolls are used for the packing of humanitarian medical kits (medicine and supplies) instead of Styrofoam. Sometimes these dolls are a child’s first toy and cuddly friend,” Fausak explained.