Virtual Memorial for Jonathan Green: Celebrating a Doll Collecting Legacy

Dear Doll Friends,

I hope this letter finds you well and surrounded by the joy and beauty that our beloved doll community brings. I wanted to take a moment to share with you the heartfelt experience we had at the UFDC Doll Convention, where we gathered to honor the life and legacy of our dear friend, Jonathan Green.

Words cannot adequately express Jonathan's profound impact on our doll community. His passion, dedication, and unwavering love for dolls touched the hearts of everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. Our celebration in his honor was an emotional and remarkable tribute to a truly extraordinary individual.

While we wish you could have been with us in person, we are honored to announce that the Virtual Doll Convention has organized a special virtual celebration to ensure that everyone can participate and commemorate Jonathan's life. This digital gathering will offer the programs and offerings from the on-site event in a format allowing everyone to partake, regardless of location.

I want to invite you to join us on our various social media extensions, including YouTube and Facebook. Through these platforms, we will share two heartfelt videos that tribute Jonathan's incredible contributions to our doll community. These videos will serve as a beautiful reminder of the love and dedication he poured into his doll collection, friendships, and advocacy.
Here is the schedule for the videos:

• Video 1: Behind the Scenes - August 12th, 10 AM MDT (15 Minutes)
  Discover the exclusive UFDC Event behind the scenes! Join us on August 12th at 10 AM MDT as we unveil the displays of last week's remarkable gathering. Get an intimate glimpse into several dolls from Jon's personal doll collection, explore the exquisite raffle contributions, and witness the heartfelt dolls created in his honor. Don't miss this insider's perspective!

• Video 2: Tribute to Jonathan Green - August 12th, 10:30 AM MDT (23 Minutes)
  Join us for a heartfelt tribute video honoring Jonathan Green's profound impact on the doll community. Experience touching words, inspiring videos, and a special program featuring footage of Jonathan Green discussing the captivating world of Kathe Kruse dolls. Be ready to laugh a bit (Jon was so funny) and have tissues handy. The videos will air on Facebook and YouTube.

• Keepsake Download: "Forever Friends": A download for all of a beautiful paper doll made for Jonathan Green featuring some of his favorite things: Raggedy Ann, Kathe Kruse, and Edith Flack Ackley. Diana Vining lovingly designed the paper doll. The paper doll is available now for all to download, and to send and give to anyone you think may benefit.

• Raggedy Ann Doll Fundraiser - Join us for a Cause
  At 11 AM MDT, we invite you to support our worthy cause by purchasing one of our exclusive "Crochet Cuddlers" Raggedy Ann dolls. These special dolls were lovingly crafted to bring peace and comfort while honoring the memory of Jonathan Green. Limited to an edition of 200, each doll set includes both Raggedy Ann and Andy, accompanied by a numbered certificate and the Forever Friends Paper doll.
  All dolls will be available for sale on the VDC Website, and we are proud to announce that 100% of the proceeds will directly benefit the High Mowing School. This cherished educational institution holds a special place in Jonathan's heart as he was a beloved handicraft teacher there. Join us in making a difference and honoring the legacy of Jonathan Green. You may also donate straight to the school with this link.

We encourage you to mark these dates and times in your calendar and prepare yourself for an emotional and unforgettable tribute to our dear doll friend, Jonathan Green. Let us unite, even remotely, to honor his memory and the indelible mark he has left on our hearts.

Thank you for being a part of this incredible doll community, and we look forward to sharing these special moments with you.

In Love and Dolls,

Rachel Hoffman

About the dolls:

After we lost Jonathan Green, a deep well of grief consumed me, and I struggled to find an outlet for where to put it. I needed to do something with my hands and for the first time in nearly 15 years, I found solace in crocheting, creating a pair of Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls as a tribute to him.

Imagining them as a cherished gift for the UFDC Luncheon, I approached my Factory to reproduce them. Although they didn't crochet, they connected me with their grandmothers, skilled hands deeply rooted in tradition. Over the past 4 months, these wonderful Chinese grandmothers lovingly crafted a limited edition of the "Crochet Cuddles" dolls – my heartfelt offering to the world in remembrance of Jonathan.

They were a wonderful surprise at the luncheon last week. We now have 60 Ann dolls and 50 Andy dolls that will go for sale tomorrow on the VDC Website, after our tribute videos. They are $60.00 each. Every penny from their sales tomorrow will be donated to the Pine Hill at High Mowing School, where Jonathan passionately served as a teacher.

Thank you, Diana Vining, for the brilliant artwork on the tags and paper doll. It features my Holland Diane, enjoying the dolls, while also holding a Kathe Kruse, and Edith Flack Ackley doll.