How about doing a travel doll where part of having the doll visit includes it visiting areas of interest around you. The doll could keep a blog and post pictures of it's adventures.
It could be fun to schedule times where the doll could join you on a trip, might be able to do some hand-offs that way, or be at your place if there's a parade or something. Part of my motive is that I have a Disneyland pass I could take the doll there, someone else could take it to their local theme park or attraction. A sort of Chatty Cathy Sees America thing. I'd love to be able to send it to Australia for a visit down there too.
Afterwards we could think about auctioning the doll and a photo book for a charity that gives toys to needy children.