Marblehead girl creates stuffed animal for kids

MARBLEHEAD – “Where there’s trouble, there’s hope”Thanks to a 12-year-old’s moment of inspiration, that’s what a growing group of Marblehead residents are saying about a plush, stuffed dog named Trouble who is helping to comfort children and raise money for charitable donations in the area.It all started in 2006 when Marblehead resident Kendra Duncan was trying to cope with a series of tragedies her family had recently suffered. She was looking for something to console her when she had a moment of inspiration and composed a cartoon caricature of a loveable dog she named “Trouble.”Soon after, she teamed up with her aunt and Sheila Duncan, an entrepreneur, and they created a line of jewelry and a coloring book featuring Trouble. A year later, Kendra, now 14, and Sheila have expanded their line of Trouble products, creating a stuffed animal that seemed to have the power to comfort and heal, especially with children like Kendra.”The amazing little thing about this dog is that kids think he is magic. Ninety-five percent of the children that receive trouble sleep with him,” said Sheila. “He is particularly soft, and he doesn’t look like other plush animals, he is actually a little ‘cartoony.'”Within months of its conception, the idea turned into Larkin, Ltd., a charity-based company that sells Trouble-related merchandise to raise money for health and animal protection organizations. This has all evolved into what the Duncans describe as “paying it forward,” or helping others who will in turn help more people, an idea that was depicted in a Hollywood movie sharing the same title.”We feel that eventually this is going to be worldwide, and what better mission to have than one that helps animals and children,” said Sheila.The kick off of what is being called the “Trouble Revolution” is scheduled for Dec. 19 at 5:30 p.m., at the Three Cod Tavern in Marblehead. Those attending can make a personal purchase with 20 percent of the proceeds going to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or directly donate gifts to a child at the hospital.Many Marblehead residents joined efforts to make the event possible and bring the charitable organization to where it is today.”Here’s Trouble,” a book based on Kendra’s ideas, was produced by a local artist and is expected to be a popular buy. Annette Nicholas, an illustrator and artist from Marblehead, adapted comic strips drawn by Kendra into a finished story for publishing. “The main idea is believing that if you do the right thing, something good will come to you. In terms of the illustrations in the book, we really wanted it to have a children’s flavor.”The location of the event was decided by a partnership between Marblehead residents. Chip Percy, the owner of the Three Cod Tavern, was a long time friend of Sheila’s father who formerly owned Maddie’s Sail Loft. When Percy heard of the Trouble Revolution, he jumped on board and offered his establishment for the kickoff.Sheila and Kendra are currently working on several more ideas, including new canine characters and a possible series of books. As a side project, they are also working to find homes for abused and abandoned dogs. So far they have worked with the Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Tennessee, Patriot Lab Rescue in New England, and the Marblehead Animal Shelter.Kendra recently adopted a Sato, a Puerto Rican street breed of dog from the Northeast Animal Shelter, which she lovingly named Luigi.But more than anything, Sheila says that she is looking forward to building on relationships with members of the community and beyond through acts of kindness and generosity.Anyone who misses the kickoff can go to the Duncan’s Web site at www.troublesaysbetough.com for other purchases and donations. The site is the also the best place to get updates as the Trouble Revolution progresses.