Making a Difference: My Pal and My Sibling Dolls {Review & Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, J @ IHeart-Motherhood!}

With all of the companies out there these days, I've always felt that shopping for children's products can easily become very overwhelming. What makes one set of blocks different from another? What is the difference between one t-shirt and one that looks just like it? Why should I consider one teddy bear as a gift over the next?

When it comes to dolls, however, there is no dilemma. Because if it is possible to find one company that not only carries high quality, well made dolls for girls as well as boys, but is also on a mission to promote important concepts such as learning, caring and social consciousness, then there's no way to not be impressed.

Because once you've been introduced to the unique and admirable My Sibling and My Pals Dolls from LorettaRose, LLC, you'll know where to turn for your next doll purchase.

As evidenced in my My Sibling Doll review recently, we are big fans of the family-owned LorettaRose, LLC and the pride that they have in producing such high quality dolls and plush toys. However, taking things one step further, this impressive company recognized that there were very few employment options available to teens and adults with developmental disabilities and created a Work Experience Program to help.

This program 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 as well. I'm telling you, when you see the sticker on your My Pal or My Sibling Doll referencing this program, you'll feel touched!

When it comes to the dolls themselves, I just love the idea that My Sibling and My Pal Dolls look like traditional 18" dolls but have the added uniqueness of their 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 (brothers and sisters of children with disabilities), the understanding of others who learn and grow differently than they do.

With Earth Day right around the corner, My Pal for Peace arrived and was the perfect way to start thinking about peace — both on a small and large scale.

Standing 18" tall with long brown hair, blue eyes (that open and close) and light skin, My Pal for Peace has a soft body and poseable head, arms and legs. Containing all of the the small details that LorettaRose, LLC is known for, right away I was admiring her rooted, shiny hair (styled with a cute front braid), her individual little eyelashes, her blue and white peace sign print peasant blouse, and more.

Coming complete with an eight page booklet, My Pal for Peace encourages children to learn how to be peacemakers all year round. Along with the lyrics to the song "Let There Be Peace on Earth," there is plenty of information included to help encourage kids to consider how even one person can make a difference in the world.

As a mom, it worries me that children can be exposed to bullying in so many aspects of their lives. So, if having My Pal for Peace can help get the conversation started and help children develop coping skills to find a peaceful solution to problems, then every child should have one.

This doll even comes with a section of the booklet that prompts children to write their own thoughts about peace and hopefully feel empowered enough to know that they are capable of having an impact on any situation.

While the message behind My Pal for Peace makes me proud each time my daughters pick her up, I'm also happy with the fact that this doll is extremely well-made and plenty durable enough that my daughters can play with her. Her hair is easy to brush and style and her cute, removable outfit is made in the USA.

Both of my kids have loved My Pal for Peace since she arrived and have had a great time giving her hugs...

...integrating her into their pretend play...

...and overall just enjoying their time with her. Considering she combines the high quality that I look for and a message that I want to encourage, I couldn't be happier about my girls and their new friend.

Just as I loved the concept of the My Sibling Dolls, the My Pal Dolls have been equally as impressive. Children are young and impressionable, so why not include aspects such as peace, going green, autism awareness, patriotism and more at the same time? The result is the fun and love that kids enjoy with a doll but with the added bonus of a teaching and learning experience at the same time!

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 accompanying plush products, and $3 to $8 for accessories, these high quality products are built to last for years of use. After all, My Pal Dolls are "Friends for any Reason, any Season!"

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/HsGzpw @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 April 20th 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 Pal 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.