Many kids and adults alike can recall having tea parties with their favorite dolls and stuffed toys. On December 4th, a special tea party was held, where girls and their favorite adults brought their most cherished dolls to the Pierce House in Lincoln to attend a "Dolly and Me Tea Party" benefiting Horizons for Homeless Children ("Horizons").

The girls and their dolls decorated canvas totes, crowns, and bracelets. They feasted on mini croissant sandwiches, cookies and brownies, tea, and hot cocoa. Andrea Thodorakos of Glamorous Cupcakes and Specialty Cookies provided cookies with the American Doll logo, adding a special touch.

Those attending had the chance to receive door prizes of the 2017 American Girl Doll of the Year donated by Sofia's Angels, and Bruin's Tickets donated by Laurie Cadigan of Barrett Sotheby's International Realty.

Terese Surette and Anna Travias, Realtors® at Barrett Sotheby's International Realty, located in Bedford, Carlisle, Concord, Lexington, and Lincoln, planned and coordinated the event, with 100% of proceeds donated to Horizons.

Travias serves on the board of Sophia's Angels, a Massachusetts non-profit organization that works, "To inspire and practice kindness in ways both big and small, by helping others in need."

Surette said, "I personally volunteered at a Domestic Violence shelter with homeless children weekly for this organization [Horizons], and so it is near and dear to my heart."

The Playspace Program created by Horizons, which Surette volunteered through, is a yearlong commitment where PALs (Playspace Activity Leaders) spend two hours per week with kids 0-6 years of age. These time slots are often in conjunction with financial literacy courses, parenting classes, case management meetings, and other programming that parents need but would not otherwise be available for without the support of the PALs.

Monetary donations made to Horizons go towards programming and the necessary items to execute the scheduled and planned activities. To learn more, visit Horizons for Homeless Children online.

Sylvester (Ziggy) Barbato grew up in Stoughton, Massachusetts, as a member of a first-generation Italian American family. One of nine children, he grew up knowing that Christmas mornings would be sparse, with no presents to open, and certainly no toys.

When he started a family of his own, he was determined to make Christmas merry for his kids. With five children to provide for, Mr. Barbato had to work multiple jobs to support his family and make sure they had toys to play with on Christmas morning. He shared his story with his children of a Christmas without the gifts, and taught them that there are always families in need "especially around the holidays."

His children heard his message and hoped to continue the same tradition and merriment that their father provided for them. Each year, the whole family gathers together to share their Christmas cheer with others. Mr. Barbato gives his children money to bring their children to the toy store where they all pick out gifts for Toys For Tots. On Christmas Day, the family shares in the happiness of knowing that kids, who otherwise may not have been able to open gifts on Christmas morning, are sharing in their joy, just as Mr. Barbato has always hoped.

As clients of Rosina Harlem, the Barbato family has donated annually to the Toys for Tots efforts at Barrett | Sotheby's International Realty, as organized by Ms. Harlem. On behalf of Barrett | Sotheby's International Realty, thank you to the Barbato family, for your generous donations.

To donate to Toys for Tots this holiday season, visit any of the five Barrett | Sotheby's International Realty locations by December, 15th, or visit Toys For Tots online.