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One Southlake Carroll Dragon is making use of her crochet skills to help those less fortunate than her.
Last fall, senior Awas Amin started the Plushie Project to assist refugees transitioning to the United States and provide aid to countries in crisis. Creating and selling handmade plush dolls, Awas has raised over $1,000 for the International Rescue Committee since the Plushie Project’s founding.
Awas and her family have worked with the White's Chapel Refugee Initiative since 2021, providing translation and tutoring services while assisting with residential placement and naturalization. However, Awas was inspired to expand her reach beyond the DFW area after thousands of people were displaced in Afghanistan.
"They are people that are like me," Awas says. "They look like me, they speak the same language as me, so I identified with these people and really wanted to help."
After researching various nonprofits, Awas discovered the IRC humanitarian aid organization and started the Plushie Project fundraising campaign. She then began crocheting numerous creations to sell at events while taking custom orders via email, Instagram and her website. Each plushy doll is sold for $40 to $50 and takes up to one week to fulfill an order.
"I want to raise awareness to other people so they can know that these issues are happening and inspire them to think of a way that they are unique and how they can incorporate that into something that they can help others with," Awas says.
Looking toward the future, Awas hopes to reach her goal of $1,500 in donations and establish a crocheting class for local refugees.
"That's the next step I see for the Plushie Project," Awas says. "To turn this into something where these refugees can become self-sufficient and use these skills to help support themselves, their family and make the transition easier for them."
To learn more about the Plushie Project, visit ThePlushieProject.Wordpress.com. Purchase a plushie via Instagram @the.plushie.project or email AwasAmin2006@gmail.com.