Helping hands for kids

By Shanti Hahler

For The Herald

Rebecca Longdon of Marysville is a mother, a grandmother and a woman on a mission.

Longdon, 61, makes felt hand puppets for children in need and sends them all over the world.

Recent packages have been sent with missionaries to Guatemala, Pakistan, Africa and Alaska and have also been donated through her own church, Marysville First Assembly.

The batch of free puppets she is finishing up now is for the children of New York who were victimized by recent terrorist attacks.

"I just want to hug all those babies and give them love. I want them to know everything will be alright," Rebecca Longdon said.

She calls her production "Hands of Love International Puppets" and says that her inspiration comes from God. Longdon pays for all her materials.

Several years ago, Longdon and close friend Wendy Orr ran a small preschool. As an art project, Longdon cut out hand puppets and let the kids decorate them.

After she saw the reactions of the children, Longdon knew they could brighten the life of any child, especially those in need.

When Longdon heard of an upcoming mission trip to Honduras through a local church, she packed up her first box of more than 300 hand puppets. Though the trip ended up being diverted, the puppets were still taken to many children who needed help in Mexico.

The puppets are formed of the same felt cutout design. But no two puppets are alike. Each takes no less than two hours to create. All the stitching is done by hand, using a blanket stitch that has more strength than machine stitches, Longdon said.

Every hand puppet Longdon made for the children of New York wears the face of a smiling child and is covered in a bright-colored design made of glitter, glue and sequins. Some puppets are decorated with lighthouses to represent hope, and some wear festive outfits made of lace and ribbon. Each has a head of hair made from yarn, and some don necklaces made out of faux jewels.

"I have to give all the glory and all the credit to the Lord. Otherwise, there would be no way I could come up with all the different designs," Longdon said.

And on the back of every puppet Longdon creates, she sends a message from her heart: "Jesus Loves You," and is signed with her initials and the date.

Longdon has been making the puppets for about two years, and said she works on them about five hours a day. Several times she has spent almost 14 hours in a day working to finish a package of puppets.

"I’ll make them as long as my fingers will do it … I just want the kids to know that they are loved," Longdon said.

As she puts the final touches on her last few puppets, she is worried that the recent anthrax scare will prohibit her package from reaching the David Wilkerson Times Square Church in New York. But that does not deter Longdon.

"My work is my blessing to the Lord," Longdon said. "It is my gift to the children he so wonderfully and carefully created … I just attached a story about the puppets and a few pictures to the outside of the box. I just know they will make it to New York."

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Firefighters respond to a 911 call on July 16, 2024, in Mill Creek. Firefighters from South County Fire, Tulalip Bay Fire Department and Camano Island Fire and Rescue left Wednesday to help fight the LA fires. (Photo provided by South County Fire)
Help is on the way: Snohomish County firefighters en route to LA fires

The Los Angeles wildfires have caused at least 180,000 evacuations. The crews expect to arrive Friday.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River. Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council approves water, sewer rate increases

The 43% rise in combined water and sewer rates will pay for large infrastructure projects.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Ari Smith, 14, cheers in agreement with one of the speakers during Snohomish County Indivisible’s senator office rally at the Snohomish County Campus on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
More than 100 people gather in Everett to protest recent Trump actions

Protesters hoped to pressure lawmakers into delaying and disrupting action in the Senate.

Wade Erickson, maintenance with the Edmonds School District, passes by a school closure sign as he clears snow from the sidewalk in front of Edmonds-Woodway High School on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Weather service: Everett and nearby cities should brace for dangerous cold

A cold weather advisory said overnight temperature could plunge as low as 15 degrees Thursday night.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.