| From Palisades, With Love: Dollies Making a Difference
 Cindy Simon has lived in Pacific Palisades with her husband Bill and their children since 1990 and has dedicated much of her life to giving back through charity.Cindy is the co-founder of Dollies Making a Difference, a non-profit organization that creates one-of-a-kind “Dollies” to send to children all of over the world. Beyond her robust list of charity work, she is also an active member of the Pacific Palisades community, helping to plan and execute neighborhood events like the annual Fourth of July Parade in the Palisades.
We asked Cindy a few questions about her organization, and what she loves most about Pacific Palisades.
Q: What motivated you to launch Dollies Making a Difference (DMAD)?
A: I was on Cape Cod visiting our oldest son, who attended a boarding school there. As I was having my coffee and reading the Cape Cod Times, I spotted an article about a group of women on the outer Cape who were making “Dollies” for children who had suffered in the Haitian earthquake. I put down the newspaper and drove up the Cape to visit the woman who was spearheading the project. She generously gave me her “Dollie” pattern and a lot of sewing advice and encouragement.
When I returned home to LA, I called my good friend Dorothy Miyake, “Dorothy, I have this idea about sewing Dollies for kids in Haiti – what do you think?” to which she replied, “Let’s do it!” We each called a few friends and asked them to meet us on Wednesday in my dining room to sew Dollies!
Since that day ten years ago, we have created over 15,000 “Dollies” and teddy bears, which we have sent to children all over the world through over 400 non-profit organizations.
A: I grew up in Oak Park, Illinois. which is not unlike Pacific Palisades, in that it is filled with people who are active in their community. My parents were always involved in service organizations such as the PTA, League of Women Voters, and the Park Board. So it always seemed very natural to me that wherever you live, you are a contributor. My husband (of 33 years!) Bill is beyond supportive of my efforts, especially Dollies Making A Difference, where boxes of yarn, fabric, stuffing, etc. have taken over our entire dining room (which never got any use anyway), and more than a few other rooms in the house than I wish to disclose!
My motivation in creating and continuing Dollies Making A Difference is not hard to describe… it’s the feeling I get when I see a child smile with delight upon being handed a cloth “Dollie” or teddy bear. That is my motivation!
I am a firm believer that one need not always “go big” in their attempt to make a difference in another person’s life – small intentions like a cloth “Dollie” can make a big difference in a child’s life which may be full of turmoil, confusion or sadness. Comfort and care and a “Dollie” or teddy bear can go a long way in brightening a child’s day, and for me, there is a lot of value in that.
 Q: How has living in the Palisades influenced your community service?A: I am so proud and grateful to call Pacific Palisades our home. I have found myself surrounded by the hardest working and dedicated people who work tirelessly for the betterment of our community, whether it is those serving as volunteers in the schools and places of faith, on The Pacific Palisades Task Force on Homelessness, P.R.I.D.E., Palisades Beautiful, the YMCA, The Women’s Club, The 10K & 5K 4th of July race, and of course the 4th of July Parade!
It is with great admiration that in today’s busy and complex world, so many of my neighbors are out & about, engaged and working together to make Pacific Palisades the warm and inviting community that it is.
Q: What aspect of your community service work makes you proudest?
A: I suppose I could say that I am most proud of the fact that Dorothy and I started Dollies Making A Difference ten years ago, and that today we are still going strong! Our members keep returning to “the Dollie table” each week, and I think it must have more to do with their belief and confidence of the good work we are doing for children in need, rather than the coffee and fruit salad we provide!
You can find out more about Dollies Making a Difference at https:// |
Q: What experience in your life motivated you to give back to Palisades and throughout Los Angeles?