Dolls with a Purpose: My Pal and My Sibling Dolls {Review & Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, The Tesdalls!}

Having two energetic, curious daughters who have a wide variety of interests, passions and hobbies, I always get a smile out of the differing toys that we have around our house.

Trucks are next to dress up clothes, which are laid out by puppets and right near a workbench. Items for being loud and active are just as represented as those that are for quiet, imaginative play. Whether the focus is creativity, imagination, large motor skills or more, I'm happy seeing that it is all there so that my girls can thrive and grow and focus on what they please.

The only thing that can make them even better? When a company not only offers high quality products for kids, but is on a mission to promote things like learning, caring and social consciousness as well.

The latest company that I have been introduced to that does just that? None other than the unique and admirable My Sibling and My Pals Dolls from LorettaRose, LLC.

A family-owned company that prides itself on producing high quality dolls and plush toys, LorettaRose, LLC recognized that there are very few employment options available to teens and adults with developmental disabilities.

Therefore, they created a Work Experience Program that gives opportunities to these individuals, providing important work experiences and training and allowing them to find jobs dressing, accessorizing, packaging, and labeling dolls, and packaging, labeling and assembly of other products, such as autism awareness items.

Right away I saw the sticker on the bag of our My Sibling Doll referencing the Work Experience Program and thought it was wonderful!

As for the dolls themselves, My Sibling and My Pal Dolls differ from traditional 18" dolls in a really wonderful way: the socially relevant purpose, cause or difference that they each promote. Each doll comes with a booklet for children to learn from and enjoy, while helping raise their social consciousness about caring for their peers, the environment, or, in the case of My Sibling Dolls, the understanding of others who learn and grow differently than they do.

As the brothers and sisters of children with disabilities, My Sibling Dolls come with pamphlets containing real-life stories about the special needs of siblings with developmental differences and also provides helpful facts and resources.

As knowledge and understanding will naturally lead to tolerance and acceptance, I was already appreciating and enjoying My Sibling Victoria even before I had seen her high quality and adorable look in person.

Standing 18" tall with long blonde hair, light blue eyes (that open and close) and light skin, Victoria has a soft body and poseable head, arms and legs. Right away it was easy to see the small details that went into every part of her, from her rooted, shiny hair to her individual little eyelashes to the bows on her white mary jane shoes.

Victoria's story booklet shares her day as she prepares for school and has to help her twin sister, Faith, who needs a little extra time and help due to her autism. Victoria finds that she is able to give Faith the assistance that she needs and that although her sister may have some differences, she had made great progress and should be proud of her accomplishments.

As well as her story, Victoria has two nods towards autism awareness in her outfit with her puzzle piece bracelet and hair bow.

Victoria is extremely well-made and I appreciate that she is durable enough that my daughters can play with her, while still having the look of a doll that might stay on the shelf. Her hair is easy to brush and style and her cute, removable outfit is made in the USA.

Both of my kids have been mesmerized by Victoria's sweet smile and shiny hair since her arrival and have had a great time giving her hugs...

...moving her arms and legs around...

...and, in general, becoming fast friends.

I love the concept of the My Sibling Dolls (as well as siblings with autism, there are dolls who have siblings with down syndrome), as they are such a great way to teach kids about children who might happen to be a little bit different than themselves while also providing the fun and love that a child gets with a doll. Why just purchase a regular doll when one of these can provide a learning experience and support a good cause?

In time for the upcoming Autism Awareness Month (April), LorettaRose, LLC also offers a My Pal for Autism Awareness 18" girl doll or boy doll, a My Pal for Autism Awareness Bear, a My Pal Shapeman (plush toy), and great Autism Awareness accessories for children and adults, all featuring the puzzle print symbol or shape. What a great way to make a difference!

For a wonderful gift for your child, grandchild or friend, My Sibling and My Pal Dolls are a product that you'll feel good about on so many levels. Priced between $40 and $55 for the dolls, $8 to $15 for the plush products, and $3 to $8 for the accessories, these high quality products are built to last for years of use.

And, thanks to the generosity of LorettaRose, LLC, one person will have the opportunity to see just how much fun, love and learning the My Pal and My Sibling Dolls can bring to a child's life, because...

One lucky person will win their choice of My Pal or My Sibling Doll!

To enter to win: Visit My Sibling Dolls and leave a comment on this post telling me which item there is your favorite and why.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow My Sibling Dolls on Twitter and/or Like them on Facebook (feel free to leave them a note saying that you are entering the giveaway on Thanks, Mail Carrier!)
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

I want to #WIN my choice of My Pal or My Sibling Doll - great quality and amazing cause! http://bit.ly/ys8TO0 @thxmailcarrier #giveaway

1 Extra Entry (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email, become a fan on Facebook or add Thanks, Mail Carrier to your blogroll.
2 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on March 29th at 11:59pm CST. By entering this sweepstakes, you are agreeing to these official rules. No purchase necessary, void where prohibited by law. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and must be 18 years of age or older.

A big thank you to LorettaRose, LLC for providing a My Sibling Doll for me for review as well as the doll of choice for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.