Beanie babies and hats in Lima, Peru

Caring Clowns International distributed Beanie Babies and hand-made hats while the clowns were on a 10-day medical mission to Lima, Peru.

The pristine Beanie Babies came to us via an interesting connection. Shirley and Darrel Wood brought their collection of Beanie Babies into the Olde Central Antique Mall in Port Orchard, Washington hoping to sell their large collection. Unfortunately, the market for Beanie Babies has declined. But fortunately, the owner knew Caring Clowns International member Sheila “Sparkles” Walters and the volunteer work she does in the community.

Sparkles shared with the couple that her church was planning “Operation Christmas Child” where shoeboxes are filled with useful items and toys and sent to children around the world. And, she shared information about Caring Clowns International’s upcoming medical mission to Peru.

The couple graciously donated their collection and soon Sparkles’ car was filled with sacks of Beanie Babies!!! She took half of the toys to her church and saved the other half for Caring Clowns International.

The Wood’s were happy to have found a good home for the Beanie Babies.

Children also received hand-made hats made by Kathy-Ann Martin, whose Aunt is Lois “CoCo” Kerr, member and co-founder of Caring Clowns International. Kathy-Ann started making these colorful yarn hats five years ago as part of a project with her church. In the past five years, she has made and distributed over 3,000 hats to the homeless and various missions.

Knowing that her Aunt was travelling to the children’s hospital in Lima, Peru, Kathy-Ann made over 100 colorful hats. They filled one full suitcase. The children and their parents at the hospital were delighted with the gift.

“Kathy-Ann was tickled pink to see the photos and how much the kids enjoyed the hats,” CoCo said.