By: MWO Clint Orr, 3 Canadian Division HQ, DIV ENG MWO
Thirty years have passed since Master Corporal Mark Isfeld first asked his mother, Carol, to craft dolls for children living in the rubble of war. Fast forward to today—and more than two million Izzy Dolls later—that legacy of compassion is burning brighter than ever.
On December 15, 2024, Sappers from 1 Combat Engineer Regiment (1 CER) and Operation UNIFIER’s Engineer Training Element (ETE) visited a Ukrainian refugee centre in Poland to deliver a special cargo: over 150 Izzy Dolls.
The Izzy Dolls, crafted by dedicated volunteers back in Canada, came in all shapes, colours, and sizes. The impact was immediate. Many of the children hugged them instantly, playing with the dolls, and bringing these simple yarn creations to life.
Captain Eric Sherwood, Officer Commanding of the ETE, was present to hand out the dolls. Reflecting on the moment, he shared:
“It’s heartwarming to see the smiles and cheers from the children as they each receive a doll. As an Engineer, it’s an honour to carry on this brilliant effort with the support of all the doll makers back home in Canada. It’s a simple act, but one that provides a moment of relief from the suffering these children have endured.”
This delivery was made possible by the countless dedicated volunteers who have crafted and donated Izzy Dolls. Thank you!
While 1 CER represents just one part of this larger-than-life movement, their commitment is unwavering. Wherever the regiment deploys in the future—and whoever leads the way—they have vowed to proudly continue the legacy of Master Corporal “Izzy” Isfeld: the soldier who collected little smiles, little handshakes, and little hearts.
If you’d like to get involved in the Izzy Doll Initiative, you can find our free patterns here: https://izzydoll.org/en/izzy-doll-patterns/
You can read the original article here:
Engineering 30 Years of Hope: The Legacy of MCpl “Izzy” Isfeld