How is Operation Hug-A-Hero organized and governed?

Operation Hug-A-Hero™ currently has a diversified Board of Directors consisting of 8 members.  Quarterly meetings help determine the vision of our organization as well as ensuring we are following our mission precisely and determining the path we will go to be a successful and thriving non-profit organization.

What is the history of Operation Hug-A-Hero?

It’s been over 4 years since the first Hug-A-Hero™ doll, bearing the likeness of a deployed servicemember, went out to his child in Jacksonville, North Carolina from Tricia Dyal’s home. Now, she and co-creator Nikki Darnell are awed by the reception that their Hug-A-Hero™ dolls have gotten all over the globe. They created the dolls to fill a need in their own children’s lives when their husbands were deployed to Iraq in 2005. Hug-A-Hero™ dolls are a simple design; a full body picture of a loved one sewn into a soft, washable doll. Their purpose, however, is far from simple. Easing the loneliness and anxiety of deployments for children of service members, the Hug-A-Hero™ dolls are now filling a void for other military children. Hand sewn and individually produced in the United States, these dolls bridge the gap between those deployed and the families left at home. When it became obvious how beneficial the dolls were to their children’s emotional well-being, Dyal and Darnell knew they had to share their creation with the world. So, the two Marine Corps wives began making dolls from their homes, formed Daddy Dolls®, Inc., launched a website, and while juggling their own military moves and deployments, have watched their business grow. “We’re so proud to see Hug-A-Hero™ dolls touching so many lives all over the world” says Dyal.From day one, it has been Dyal and Darnell’s dream to gift their Hug-A-Hero™ dolls to every military child faced with the stresses of a deployment. “We know first hand that they help the child cope, and that, in-turn, helps the parents cope,” says Darnell.Shortly after they formed Daddy Dolls®, Inc., they developed a special fund – financed through the generous donations of individuals, organizations, and companies. The fund, Operation Hug-A-Hero™ provided dolls to children who had lost a parent in the line of duty or to children whose families couldn’t afford a doll. Already, the organization has been able to help thousands of children, but limited funds require that recipients come recommended by Chaplains based on need.Experience has shown that America is filled with amazing people who are willing to support US troops by supporting the families left behind. With their Hug-A-Hero™ dolls and other resources designed to help military families get through long deployments, Dyal and Darnell plan to do just that. In an effort to make donating easier, and provide generous donors (any amount is generous) with the tax benefit of a non-profit donation, Operation Hug-A-Hero™, Inc. was formed on August 6, 2008. Dyal also brought on Lisa Berg to act as her Director of Development as they get  Operation Hug-A-Hero™ fully functional.  It is currently in the Not for Profit application process. Dyal and Berg hope that the formation of the non-profit organization will encourage corporate sponsorships and someday soon allow them to gift Hug-A-Hero™ dolls to every military child who wants one.  Operation Hug-A-Hero does just that.

What service does Operation Hug-A-Hero™ provide?

We provide Hug-A-Hero^TM (aka Daddy Dolls®, Inc.) to the children of our deployed military and those that have lost their hero in the line of duty.  We reach out to those families who are going through a difficult time while mommy or daddy is away.  We provide these dolls free of charge to those that qualify.  Click here to see the requirements for recipients.

OPERATION Hug-A-Hero Featured in Newsmagazine

We were honored to have an article run in a St. Louis magazine, News Magazine Network. This article really speaks what it is we do and what we need to continue to provide Hug-A-Hero dolls free to our children of our deployed military. We would like to let the public know how important corporate sponsorships are to us and how they will allow us to give a free doll to everyone one in need. Please check out the full article Entitled: Operation Hug-A-Hero helps children who miss their military parents

Related Posts:

Operation Hug-a-Hero is off to New York – March 27, 2009

Hug-a-Hero featured in the Free Lance Star – August 18, 2007

Nelson Family Testimonial

My husband was recently deployed to Iraq. This is our first deployment and we have 2 very young children. I was searching for ways to help my children deal with his deployment. A friend saw a news clipping on Operation Hug-A-Hero. After contacting Lisa and speaking to her I was at peace with the changes our family was about to go through. Keirah and Kyler were very happy when they received their dolls. They sleep with them every night and I know their daddy is watching over them at night.

Thank you Operation Hug-A-Hero!!

Sarah, Keirah and Kyler Nelson

Related Posts:

Hahn Family Testimonial – 4H club Donation

Wilson Family Testimonial – Marine Corps Family

OPERATION Hug-A-Hero Press Release – January 2009

OPERATION HUG-A-HERO™

THE GENEROSITY OF OTHERS IS HELPING THE CHILDREN OF
DEPLOYED SERVICE MEMBERS

WHO WE ARE: Operation Hug-A-Hero™ www.OperationHugAHero.org
WHAT WE DO: Provide FREE Hug-A-Hero™ Dolls to Military Children with Deployed Parents
WHERE: Across the Globe
WHY: To Ease Separation for the Children of ALL Active Duty Service Members
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Make Others Aware of Our Inspiring Cause

CONTACT: Tricia Dyal (910) 333-1502
Tricia@OperationHugAHero.org
Lisa Berg (910) 546-3127
Lisa@OperationHugAHero.org

Jacksonville, NC 2009 – It’s been over 4 years since the first Hug-A-Hero™ doll, bearing the likeness of a deployed servicemember, went out to his child in Jacksonville, North Carolina from Tricia Dyal’s home. Now, she and co-creator Nikki Darnell are awed by the reception that their Hug-A-Hero™ dolls have gotten all over the globe. They created the dolls to fill a need in their own children’s lives when their husbands were deployed to Iraq in 2005. Hug-A-Hero™ dolls are a simple design; a full body picture of a loved one sewn into a soft, washable doll. Their purpose, however, is far from simple. Easing the loneliness and anxiety of deployments for children of service members, the Hug-A-Hero™ dolls are now filling a void for other military children. Hand sewn and individually produced in the United States, these dolls bridge the gap between those deployed and the families left at home. When it became obvious how beneficial the dolls were to their children’s emotional well-being, Dyal and Darnell knew they had to share their creation with the world. So, the two Marine Corps wives began making dolls from their homes, formed Daddy Dolls®, Inc., launched a website, and while juggling their own military moves and deployments, have watched their business grow. “We’re so proud to see Hug-A-Hero™ dolls touching so many lives all over the world” says Dyal.

From day one, it has been Dyal and Darnell’s dream to gift their Hug-A-Hero™ dolls to every military child faced with the stresses of a deployment. “We know first hand that they help the child cope, and that, in-turn, helps the parents cope,” says Darnell. Shortly after they formed Daddy Dolls®, Inc., they developed a special fund – financed through the generous donations of individuals, organizations, and companies. The fund, Operation Hug-A-Hero™ provided dolls to children who had lost a parent in the line of duty or to children whose families couldn’t afford a doll. Already, the organization has been able to help thousands of children, but limited funds require that recipients come recommended by Chaplains based on need.

Experience has shown that America is filled with amazing people who are willing to support US troops by supporting the families left behind. With their Hug-A-Hero™ dolls and other resources designed to help military families get through long deployments, Dyal and Darnell plan to do just that. In an effort to make donating easier, and provide generous donors (any amount is generous) with the tax benefit of a non-profit donation, Operation Hug-A-Hero™, Inc. was formed on August 6, 2008. Dyal also brought on Lisa Berg to act as her Director of Development as they get  Operation Hug-A-Hero™ fully functional.  It is currently in the Not for Profit application process. Dyal and Berg hope that the formation of the non-profit organization will encourage corporate sponsorships and someday soon allow them to gift Hug-A-Hero™ dolls to every military child who wants one.

“It’s truly inspiring to see people open their hearts to the children of our deployed service members. One woman from Massachusetts actually posted a sign in her gym for donations to Operation Hug-A-Hero™ and raised over $500!” Dyal relates. “It’s so heart-warming to see people who don’t even have a connection to the military stepping forward and saying, ‘this is a small way that I can help that soldier, sailor, airman, marine or Coast-guardsman who is defending MY freedom — by doing something for his or her child.”  Berg relates, “There is also a dentist in Louisiana that is reaching out to our cause by allowing his patients the option to donate at the time of their visit to his office.  This dentist served in the LA Army National Guard with two tours supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.”

Donating to Operation Hug-A-Hero™ is as simple as going to the newly designed website: www.operationhugahero.org and clicking on the “Donate” button.   On the website you will also see testimonials from families who have benefited from a free doll and how the dolls are currently helping children.  We also have an area on our site which allows families to share their own tips on how to get through deployments as well as areas to see us in the media and a list of our sponsors.

Please contact Tricia Dyal or Lisa Berg for more information.

Public Safety Officers

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Military Families

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Hahn Family Testimonial – 4H club Donation

This is a story from one of our recipients of our program who was able to receive a doll through the generosity of one of our sponsors.  The Jacksonville, FL 4-H group, the “Duval Diplomats” raised money by collecting pennies for our cause which allowed this family to get a FREE Hug-A-Hero doll.

From Audrey Hahn :

“Eleorah loves her doll. I mean, it’s just the cutest thing to watch her snuggle with it. And I really think that it helps her with Justin gone and everything. Sometimes she will say, “Want talk Daddy on phone.” and I have to tell her that we can’t call him. It’s really sad. So, instead I tell her “well, we can’t call him right now, but why don’t you go get your Daddy doll and tell him?” and she does!”
Could you tell the 4-H group thank you from us? I was so pleased when we were told that we could get one of these free because someone else already paid for them. Thank you guys so much. It was such a nice blessing and, I have to say, it’s even nice for me – as silly as that sounds .
Once again, thank you, thank you, thank you.
Sincerely,
Audrey, Justin and
Eleorah
Hahn

Wilson Family Testimonial – Marine Corps Family

This is a story from one of the recipients of our program. The Wilson family is a Marine Corps family stationed in San Diego, California.

Here’s from Courtney Wilson, whose husband is a Marine out of San Diego:

“I am so appreciative of the Daddy Dolls that were given to my twins!

My husband was deployed for 7 months while I was pregnant and gave birth 2 1/2 months premature to Colby and Chloe. He returned home 3 months after their birth and hospitalization, and then re-deployed 9 months later for a 12 month deployment. He left right after the twins turned 1 and won’t return home until after they turn 2.

The dolls mean so much to my twins because they are able to hug and kiss their “daddy” every night. It helps them keep daddy in their lives so that hopefully, when he returns, they will be somewhat familiar with him.

Thank you so much for your generosity in giving each child their own doll. (They have a tendency to fight over the same toys, so I’m grateful that they each have their own personalized doll.) Their daddy doll is very special to them.”

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