Life & Work with Jan Householder of Ohio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jan Householder.

Hi Jan, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In December,2005 a friend’s daughter, Katherine, was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. In January of 2006 she became a patient at St. Jude’s. After meeting with her and her mom in March of that year, i decided i wanted to do something to help. That is when the Giving Doll was first created. I made 10 dolls, with her help with design for her to give to children in her research group. She came back home and asked for more. That’s when in May,2006 I stated a group at the local Senior Center. Five people attended and we stated making dolls for Katherine. The group grew and so did the requests. Children with cancer, homelessness, parents being deployed, natural disasters, foster care, Battered Women’s shelter, counseling, serious illness of family members and more. We continued to make dolls for Katherine until her passing. Now our program has grown to include 12 chapters. many in other states. After 20 years, we now have about 450 volunteers and have made and given nearly 81,000 dolls. Donation now included a doll blanket and small tote bag. We have given dolls to children in every state and 64 foreign countries.
We have no paid staff, and the dolls cannot be bought. We rely on donations and fund raisers to support the costs for operation.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Of course it has not been a smooth road. We have faced many challenges, like making sure we have funding to carry on our mission. In 2018 we lost our lease in the building we were renting. With 3 months to move, we were not sure if we could continue. But because God keep telling me he had this, we were able to purchase a building through a loan from a community individual. The building we an abandoned building that was a former Drapery business. Being empty for 7 years it needed a lot of work. We had very little money to work with but, individuals come forward and donated a new roof, electrical upgrade and lighting fixtures. Paint was purchased at a very low cost, and a painter donated his labor. 3women including myself and 2 handmen renovated the building in 11 weeks and we moved in March 2019.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I taught Family and Consumer Sciences (Home Ec,) at a local high school for thirty years. While there I was advisor to FCCLA (Family Carrer and Community Leaders of America). My passion has always been volunteering and giving back. The chapter I advised was involved in a variety of volunteer projects. I advised State Officers including a State President.
I was awarded the State Advisor of the Year along with a variety of other awards.
When a county volunteer program was stated VOFT (Volunteer Opportunities for Teens) was started. I became our school’s advisor. Later I was Chairperson over all the VOFT programs in the community. I wrote a Volunteer Curriculum for every discipline on the high school level. Received the Outstanding High School Volunteer Coordinator for Northeast Ohio. I have also received other awards: Martha Jennings Holden award for outstand teaching. local Senior Citizen Hall of Fame, Teacher Hall Fame in the school system where i taught.
I am currently, the volunteer coordinator of my local Women’s Club and volunteer at my church as a Greeter.

Looking over what I have done with my life, if there is a need, how can I make a difference? Afterall isn’t that what our mission in life should be, taking care of others.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
I have not really had a mentor. I have just leaned on my faith to guide me. I was a teacher who knew nothing about starting and running a nonprofit. My Pastor once said take the first step and God will show you the stairway. I have never been afraid to step up and lead where needed.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thegivingdoll.org
• Facebook: The Giving Doll