SC ministry provides girls in group homes, shelters an American Girl Doll of their own

Years ago, Sandra Hubbard met a beautiful little girl in foster care who loved butterflies and the American Girl doll.

That little girl died in a Pickens County vehicle crash, never knowing the joy of owning such a doll of her own.

Her death in 2010 inspired a new life for Hubbard and her husband, Frank.

The two entrepreneurs became the founders of The Butterfly Ministry for Girls, an Upstate-based nonprofit that initially set out to give one American Girl doll to girls in area group homes and shelters.

Instead, they’ve given more than 400 dolls in the past four years. More than 90 percent of the dolls and accessories presented to the girls are courtesy of donations from people across the U.S.

The Hubbards rely on fundraisers such as their annual American Girl Fashion Show to help cover additional costs for their growing ministry.

This year’s show, geared toward girls ages 6-12, will be held Oct. 3, at the Embassy Suites in Greenville.

Headquartered in Middleton, Wis., American Girl is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mattel. The company devotes its entire business to celebrating girls, according to its web site.

The company said more than 27 million of its American Girl dolls have been sold through its company cataloge, retail stores, and website since 1986. The company offers its American Girl Doll Fashion Shows to organizations nationwide as a way to help raise funds for children’s causes.

The Butterfly Ministry’s fashion show covers most of South Carolina, with the exception of an area in Rock Hill that is closer to a Charlotte show, said Sandra Hubbard.

There will be three show times for the local event – 9 a.m., 1 p.m., and 5 p.m. Cost to attend the event is $35, which includes admission and light appetizers.

The French Pastry & Tea Party theme event will feature more than 60 local models, the American Girl BeForever series of dolls and clothing, Girl of the Year Grace, the Truly Me series, and the Bitty Baby line.

Girls who attend can bring their American Girl doll to a doll hair salon staffed by stylists from Great Clips, have a picture taken with her doll by a professional photographer, and purchase American Doll books that will be displayed by Barnes and Noble.

An American Girl Doll souvenir shop will be open during the event and door prizes will be given away.

Tickets for the show may be purchased online at agfashionshowsc.com. For more information, call (864) 553-1395.

This story was originally published September 17, 2015 at 6:49 PM with the headline "SC ministry provides girls in group homes, shelters an American Girl Doll of their own."