I am a library manager and the Little World Charity has a mission that you don't see very often these days...to spread happiness and joy to children and others. The children and parents who come to our lobby often stop on their way out or in to visit the exhibit. You can see the magic look in the kids eyes (and parents too) when they see the tiny objects moving. It's also a refreshing change from today's screen driven society. All the work they do is truly a labor of love and also very unique. Thank you Little World Charities!
The first time I saw a Little WORLD Charity Village was at my library entrance hallway. I thought, oh isn't that clever, then I pushed the button . . . oh my, I was taken away to another world! As I stood there watching, some children came in the library and watched with me, as we alternated in pushing the button! All of us were mesmerized. The next time I saw a Little WORLD Charity Village, I was at the Duke Children's Hospital lobby and laughed out loud, pressed the button numerous times, and took a brochure. I have supported Little WORLD Charity for a long time and I always push the button!
Little World Charity does an amazing job of bringing simple joy to young kids! I love the way they have gotten people involved in making beautiful displays like the origami one, and they are always looking for more ways to get kids and families engaged in the process of bringing happiness to children.
I first saw the impact of this amazing "little" charity when I visited a local library and observed the children at the library absolutely TRANSFIXED and joyful as they looked into a Little World display. As a Clinical Psychologist, I wondered what in the "world" would make these kids so focused and happy? It's the absolutely magical design and movement of these displays! I ended up donating towards a special Little World ( which was made in honor of my deceased parents) and it was just right; it is now bringing happiness to kids ( AND ADULTS!) all over the Triangle area. Working with Tim Gabriel was a real pleasure, and my partner also donated towards a special Little World, in honor of his mother who had recently passed away. We ALL need a refuge from our personal worries and stress, be it a hospital stay or just living in this distressing modern world...these Little World displays, created by Tim Gabriel, provide an instant refuge and a place of joy and peace. What a fantastic way to effectively and immediately make someone's life better, no matter what they might be going through! This is a WONDERFUL charity. Katy McClure
I wanted to find a way that my mother's Beatrix Potter ceramic figures collection could be used so that other people, especially children, could see and enjoy them. I asked Tim if he would be interested in using them in one of his Little World displays. He heartily agreed that he thought he could, so I donated the collection to Little World Charity. I know my mother would be pleased to know that her cherished figurines will be shared and enjoyed by others. I also work in a library where the Little World Charity displays are kept and rotated periodically. They are a magnet for children and a source of happiness for us all. Thank you Tim and your helpers for all your work to make the world a brighter place.
Such a fun and meaningful way to spread joy through the experience of watching these magical displays and the smiles that they inspire. Well run charity too, small but meaningfully - my favorite type.
I've spent years volunteering my time with Little World. It's been wonderful to see the joy and excitement the displays bring to kids and kids at heart across the Triangle. Little World rotates displays across 20 different locations (hospitals, special needs homes, and libraries). At each location, there is inevitably kids waiting patiently to be the first to see the display come to life.
Southwest Regional Library with Durham County Library is one of 20 locations in the Triangle that enjoys these whimsical and interactive displays. As soon as children enter the library, they head straight to the Little World display. We'll regularly hear children exclaiming in excitement over something they see in the display. Tim and his volunteers with Little World are wonderful people. They install with no disruption to library services and are quick to respond in the event there are any mechanical issues. I would 100% recommend this organization that brings smiles to all ages!
The North Regional Library in Raleigh has only recently begun to work with Tim and his Little World Charity display units. Tim has been great to work with and is very responsive. He and a volunteer delivered the State Fair interactive display unit and set it up exactly where we wanted it. The children immediately flocked to the display and haven't stopped since the display was installed! They love pressing the button to make the ferris wheel and other props light up and move. Without a doubt, the Little World Charity's display unit adds one more engaging aspect to library visits. Children will want to return again and again to have another chance to interact with the magical world that is created by Little World Charity.
Tim's charity is very easy to work with and his displays are a huge hit with our library patrons. It creates a conversation point with kids and their parents which supports our goal of fostering early literacy skills and language acquisition. I can personally attest that kids are fascinated with the displays and they enhance their library experience.
As the executive director of this charity, I see firsthand what a tremendous impact we have, while stretching our donation dollars to the max. We bring smiles to kids in need at hospitals, special needs homes, and libraries (now a total of 20 locations and growing, see our website). We have zero overhead since I donate my garage and my vehicle, we have zero employees (100% volunteer). Yet we create over 100,000 "smiles" (button presses) a year with our animated, inclusive, non-controversial, whimsical displays.
And now we are embarking on a new program to have future display art made by children, guided by their art teachers. Thus, we will be inspiring kids on the creative side as well as the receiving side. Your donation dollars go 100% to procuring the display cases and contents needed for us to continue to grow. Each display case and contents costs about $2,000. Won't you help with any size donation?
Previous Stories
Little WORLD Charity, in five years of existence, has grown to eleven year-round locations, including Duke Children's Hospital, two Ronald McDonald Houses, two facilities in Raleigh for severe special needs children, and public libraries here in the North Carolina Triangle. The charity pays zero salaries or compensation, has practically zero overhead, and neither asks for nor receives any funding from the worthy places it serves. The charity's custom made displays are enjoyed approximately 200,000 times a year ("200,000 smiles and inspiration to kids in need). This charity is truly a labor of love and joy. I founded and am the executive director of this tiny charity with a big impact. We always are in need of funds to purchase more display cases and parts, and to mainain existing displays. Here is a link to a television news segment about us. https://www.wral.com/lifestyles/travel/video/16361179/