Bryan and Traci Frasher, founders of Project Paper Doll, joined Kevin Churchwell, M.D., center, and country music artist Chris Young at the kickoff party for Project Paper Doll. (photo by Neil Brake)
Paper doll logo gets celebrity makeover
The red paper doll logo of the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt recently got a makeover at the hands of some country music artists and celebrities as part of a unique fund-raising project.
Through Project Paper Doll, more than 50 wooden "paper dolls" are being turned into artwork, and bids will be taken in three phases at eBay's Giving Works. The first 10-day auction launched Nov. 26. On Dec. 4 and Dec. 11, seven-day auctions will launch, with the final bids concluding on Dec. 18.
Celebrities who participated include Dierks Bentley, Martina McBride, Jimmy Buffett, Miley and Billy Ray Cyrus, Brooks and Dunn, Rascal Flatts, George Jones, Vince Gill, Loretta Lynn, LeAnn Rimes, Kenny Rogers, George Strait, Tanya Tucker, Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood and many more.
The project was spearheaded by members of the country music industry to raise funds for Children's Hospital. The founders of Project Paper Doll are Bryan Frasher, vice president of national promotion for Arista Nashville at Sony/BMG, and his wife, Traci.
“My wife, Traci, is a true visionary and when she came to me with the idea of what is now 'Project Paper Doll' I knew it was the perfect vehicle to serve the kids at the Children's Hospital,” Frasher said. “This project connects their hearts to the hearts of the Nashville entertainment and business community and, through eBay's involvement, the rest of the country. The Children's Hospital is a wonderful place and needs our help to continue taking care of not only our children, but children everywhere.”
Joe Galante, chairman of Sony/BMG Nashville, served as honorary chairman for the Nov. 15 kick-off event where the dolls were unveiled in the Children's Hospital Theater.
“I have spent a lot of time over the years supporting charities whose money leaves Nashville and goes to New York or L.A.,” Galante said. “This is our hospital and our city. We should make it our mission to make sure we come up with a creative solution to not having children spend a single night in the ER because we don't have enough beds for them. Project Paper Doll is a first step to having a creative solution from the music industry. We can and should do a lot more.”
To find out how you can bid on a paper doll, visit http://www.projectpaper-doll.org or visit www.ebay.com/paperdolls to bid.