Dolls, balls, books & bikes for Christmas

BY ALLEN A. BUCHANAN, Staff Writer

ST. PETERSBURG – The fourth annual Bring Out The Dolls, Balls & Books holiday gift gathering celebration for young boys and girls was held at the Carter G. Woodson African American History Museum Dec. 17.

Bring out the Dolls is the brainchild of Attorney Shannon Ligon, founder of Legacy Entertainment & Arts Foundation. The concept came when a 12-year-old girl Ligon was representing in Orlando was being bullied because of her natural hair.

Ligon and members of her foundation came up with an idea to help her young client find “self-esteem, encouragement and the support to understand that no matter what you look like or where you come from, we are all beautiful.”

After seeing Facebook posts of Ligon celebrating the success of the first toy drive in Orlando, museum Executive Director Terri Lipsey Scott approached her about partnering with the Woodson for area children and added gifts for boys also.

Each year the event has grown with toy donations reaching more than 700 for 2017. The toys collected will be given to children whose parents are in prison, displaced families living in motels, some Jordan Park residents and other families who have been identified as in need.

“This event is definitely needed in our area,” said Matt Byrd of the Pinellas Democratic Black Caucus.

To reach Allen Buchanan, email abuchanan@theweeklychallenger.com