Carolina Strong: Local woman inspires community to pay it forward through dolls

MONROE, N.C. — A Christmas present for a family member inspired a woman in Monroe to pay it forward.

Now, she wants to help seniors with memory loss issues by gifting them baby dolls.

Hayley Laney said her journey started with one doll on Christmas morning.

She said her mother-in-law is living with dementia.

While visiting an assisted living facility, she saw another woman who was receiving memory care light up when she held a Lounette doll.

“My mother-in-law received a baby at Christmas. It has helped her tremendously. She sleeps with it, feeds it, rocks it, and talks to it,” Laney explained.

Laney said seeing her reaction made her want to get babies for everyone in the facility, so she turned to the community to help.

>> How strangers stepped up to help her achieve her goal, in the video at the top of the page.

If you’d like to donate to Laney’s Amazon wish list, click here.

Every day, there are people across the Carolinas doing extraordinary things. They’re giving back, they’re helping each other, and they’re making a real difference. We’re highlighting the best in our community in our series, Carolina Strong.

Know somebody who’s making a positive impact? Let us know here.

VIDEO: Some say photo of handmade dolls at nursing home is racially insensitive

Some say photo of handmade dolls at nursing home is racially insensitive

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