The campaign, initiated by the Gruelle family and the Raggedy Ann and Andy Museum, began last March 28, 2001, the day after the 2001 inductees were announced. Since then, more than 7,000 petitions, signatures and letters of admiration were garnered to help Raggedy gain entry into the Hall.

"I feel, strongly, that this is her year, and I am hoping our grassroots campaign will help Hall of Fame voters ratify Raggedy's induction," says Joni Gruelle. "Raggedy emanates kindness, comfort, and friendship among other qualities befitting the National Toy Hall of Fame and its current inductees such as Mr. Potato Head, Play-Doh and Tonka Trucks," Gruelle added. "I will be there (in Salem, Ore.), as will Patricia Hall (a San Diego-based author of a dozen books about Johnny Gruelle and his Raggedys) and my husband Tom. We encourage any of her fans to attend along with us. Win or lose, in or out, we will be in Salem, Ore. to support Raggedy Ann."

Raggedy Ann is one of 90 nominees this year. The selection committee is comprised of educators, child development experts, and toy industry experts; there are no toy manufacturers are on the selection committee. A sampling of past National Toy Hall of Fame inductees include Silly Putty, Tonka Trucks, Barbie, Play-Doh, Mr. Potato Head, Legos, among many others.

A panel of distinguished educators and civic leaders from across the country selected toys that were nominated throughout 2001 by the general public. The two toys receiving the most votes from the selection committee will be unveiled at the announcement at 12:00 p.m., PST on March 27, by the children's museum executive director, Pamela Vorachek.

Among the most popular characters of the 20th century, Raggedy Ann has recently been voted Number three of the top 100 dolls of all-time by Doll Reader magazine. Raggedy Ann & Andy have starred in numerous books, comics, cartoons, movies and even a musical. Raggedy Ann made her first appearance in 1915 when creator Johnny Gruelle designed a floppy rag doll to entertain his daughter when she was ill. Gruelle, already a popular cartoonist of the time with features such as "Mr. Twee Deedle," sought a patent for his new creation and began to include the character in his story lines. At home, the Gruelle family began to hand craft the dolls, and in 1918 the very first Raggedy Ann book rolled off the press, "Raggedy Ann Stories." In 1920, Gruelle created a companion for Raggedy Ann, a brother named Andy who debuted in Gruelle's second book, "Raggedy Andy Stories." Official Raggedy Ann and Andy scholar and historian Patricia Hall said it best when she affirmed, "If Johnny Gruelle had made just a doll, we wouldn't be talking about her now." Hall has written a book about the history of the Raggedy's, "Raggedy Ann and Andy; A Retrospective Celebrating 85 years of Storybook Friends," published in October 2001 by Simon & Schuster. The heartwarming story of Raggedy Ann & Andy still continues to touch us all, whether or not the grassroots campaign to have her officially recognized by the Toy Hall of Fame succeeds in its mission.

The National Toy Hall of Fame(R) seeks to recognize the positive influence that toys have on a child's learning and creativity. The National Toy Hall of Fame(R) is housed in the historic Parrish House, part of A.C. Gilbert's Discovery Village in Salem, Ore.

RAGGEDY ANN AND ANDY is licensed by United Media on behalf of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing. United Media (UM) is a worldwide licensing and syndication company that focuses on building brand equity around a wide range of creative content. UM recently partnered with the LEGO Company to represent its new television series, "Galidor: Defenders of the Outer Dimension." UM licenses and/or syndicates other properties, including PEANUTS, Precious Moments, the Copyrights at United Media portfolio (The World of Beatrix Potter, Paddington Bear, etc.), Dilbert, 2GRRRLS, Nancy and Sluggo, MIFFY, and Rainbow Fish. United Media is an E.W. Scripps Company.