In May 2014, a group of athletes who had been training for many months, embarked on a trip half way around the world to Beijing, China where they would run The Great Wall Marathon.  Two Dollie ladies Cindy and Kathy went also, as their husbands were among the runners.  The Dollie ladies worked for weeks creating very special Asian dollies, which our group arranged to distribute to children at a public elementary school blocks away from our hotel in downtown Beijing. Dollie face painter Patrice was in charge of painting the over 40+ faces…she did an amazing job!
We were welcomed at the gate by the principal who led us through the playground to the school building (which looked just like our USA public schools!). Â On our way we were met by several 11 year olds who were leaving school early to attend accelerated programs at another site. Â One of the girls spoke very good English and she chatted away with Dylan and Kira Prudente who were about the same age. Dylan and Kira were a part of our group who would be running The Fun Run part of the marathon.
We were led upstairs to the music room, where the 1st grade students soon filed in.  After welcoming us, the children performed on their flutes the theme song from the 2008 Olympics, “You and Me”.  It was so moving…
Next, a few of the children approached our group with questions such as this boy who asked Dylan in English, “What is your name?”
Then we decided to “return the favor” and do a performance of our own! Â Led by the amazing dollie ladyÂ
Kathy Baxter, who has an extensive musical background, we sang
“Jingle Bells” and Â
“Happy Birthday”! Â The kids were delighted and laughed and clapped along.
Then the moment we had all been waiting for !!! Â Dylan and Kira dumped all the dollies out of the pillowcase and one-by-one asked a child to come into the center of the circle to pick one out. Â The kids LOVED the dollies, as you can see from the photos below.
To Give is to Receive!!
