Dotty Garis has spent the past five years sewing hundreds of dresses for little girls around the world as part of her work with the Christian humanitarian organization Samaritan’s Purse, reports Michele Haddon for the Bucks County Courier Times.  

Garis will be 87 in March, but that hasn’t stopped her from finding ways to give back.  

The Bedminster resident, along with several other women, helped pack boxes for Operation Christmas Child, a yearly program at the organization, which was founded by Franklin Graham.  

Shoeboxes are filled with items like stuffed animals, soccer balls, coloring books, and crayons to be sent to third-world countries to children in need. 

Garis began sewing clothes for the program in 2020, making 320 dresses to be sent out in the shoeboxes.  

Since then, she’s worked hard to make at least 300 dresses each year. 

“Often when I’m sewing, I think about what little girl might be getting this dress and how they’ll hear about Jesus because of what we’ve done,” Garis said.  

She noted that she frequently prays for the recipients of her dresses.  

“I enjoy knowing that they’re going to little girls all over the world,” she continued. “I feel like it’s doing good and I’m enjoying what I’m doing so I’m thankful for each day that I can.” 

Learn more about Dotty Garis and how Operation Christmas Child is making children’s Christmases brighter at Bucks County Courier Times. 

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