Molly Doodle joins the Villagers

By Sharon Weatherall

‘Molly Doodle’ - a lovable golden-doodle with a series of popular children’s books will be sharing her fame with 'We are the Villagers' – a children’s charity based from Midland.

Molly’s talented mom is artist darci-que - an illustrator and author of many children’s books, with the ‘The Adventures of Molly Doodle' being her most popular. Each exciting lesson based story has won the heart of the kids and adults alike. There are currently eight Molly Doodle adventures with books available through Chapters.

 Last week darci-que and Villagers co-founder Julianna Matyas, met in Midland to discuss an potential partnership involving a series of children's books for We are the Villagers which will not only help promote the non-profit kid’s charity but could also be sold as a fundraiser for the cause.

 “I am hoping the initial book will show what we do as Villagers and what the Villagers can do for children. It will highlight activities the kids are in and also be sold at our events to raise money that will help us become more self-supportive,” said Matyas.

“Then we will follow through with other books about the success stories of our kids. It fits in perfect with The Villager concept - it takes a whole village to raise a child.”

 Matyas says she has been looking for just the right person to work on this project and enhance her dream to develop a program to assist families and their children participate in extracurricular activities of interest to them. Whether it be sports, music, art or other interests The Villagers sponsor children in need so they can take part in these activities without being restricted by registration and equipment costs.  In just one year of operation The Villagers has already raised $72,000. and there are 47 children who will be continued to be supported in various programs.

darci-que – who has worked closely with children of all ages for the past 20 years, was thrilled to learn about a charity that helps all children participate regardless of cost. At home in Creemore she has operated a kids summer art camp for over a decade, done clowning at community events for many years along with her daughter Emily Fischl, hosted children’s parties and published not only children's books but award winning greeting cards and wrapping paper. darci-que has several other books on the market aside from the popular Molly Doodle series, including the Bumble Bee with too many Bathing Suits, and several commissioned works for other fundraising groups and organizations. Visit: www.theadventuresofmolliedoodle.com

 “I am excited about working together with the Villagers to come up with a book that will promote the group and create awareness for the good work it does,” said darci-que.

 “I think it is wonderful that Molly will be part of this and recognized as a character in The Villagers books. I believe it is the job of parents to help their child realize their dreams and that is what The Villagers are trying to help parents achieve."

During the recent meeting both women realized they beleive the same concept of the teaching and training kids in a community. The whole idea of The Villagers is to motivate kids to try something new. If the kids really like something and want to do it great, and if it doesn't work then they should try something else.

"I see this as mentoring kids to get a path and getting kids to the right path is what we want to do," said Matyas.
"If a parent doesn’t train a child to do what they want to do, how does that child know what direction to take?”

Matyas co-founded The Villagers one year ago along with Geoff Crompton from The Library Restaurant in Midland. Both parties have worked extremely hard to make The Villagers what it is today – a movement that's already growing past its North Simcoe boundaries into neighbouring communities. Matyas and Crompton hope to the see major expansion as the program becomes better known.

Matyas says the new children's books featuring lovable Molly Doodle will help to immortalize The Villagers in print and become part of children's lives as they are growing up.

As mentioned above, the first book will be about The Villagers in general while others will depict characterized stories about Villager children who have achieved self-confidence and success through participation in the program. Of course, with Molly Doodle as part of the books, she will be viewed as a role model for life lessons such as sharing and caring, stopping bullying, learning that everyone can’t be a winner all the time, and so much more.

"My idea is to have the books focus on not only success stories of the kids, but also the trial and tribulations of single parents and grandparents who are raising little ones – all of the things about life in general," said Matyas.

"As we move forward with this project I believe that all the right people will fall into place for the right reasons. I can see it happening already. We have had so much support already it is amazing.”

We are the Villagers operates through dedicated volunteers with all monies raised going back into sponsoring children's programs.  Visit: www.wearethevillagers.com to find out more about how you can become involved as a volunteer or get your child sponsored.