{"id":1484,"date":"2026-09-30T13:10:12","date_gmt":"2026-09-30T17:10:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/izzydoll.org\/?page_id=1484"},"modified":"2026-09-30T13:12:14","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T17:12:14","slug":"125-izzy-dolls-for-cme125-project","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/izzydoll.org\/en\/125-izzy-dolls-for-cme125-project\/","title":{"rendered":"125 Izzy Dolls for CME125 Project"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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125 Izzy Dolls for CME125 Project<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Stitching Together : the Izzy Doll Initiative Honours the 125th of the Canadian Military Engineers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The story of the Izzy Doll began over 30 years ago with a mother’s talented hands and a son’s compassion. While serving as a Canadian peacekeeper, Master Corporal Mark Isfeld was deeply moved by the sight of children in war-torn regions who had lost everything. He shared a poignant observation with his mother, Carol: “a little girl has lost her doll and a doll has lost her little girl.” Inspired by his words, Carol began creating small dolls for Mark to give to children he met during his peacekeeping missions. These Izzy Dolls soon became symbols of hope and trust.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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After Mark tragically lost his life in a mine-clearing mission in 1994, his comrades affectionately named them “Izzy Dolls” and vowed to continue his mission. Today, the Izzy Doll Initiative has blossomed into a global movement with more than 100,000 volunteers, who have stitched millions of dolls for children in over 130 countries, a testament to how one person’s legacy can inspire countless acts of kindness. This map shows known locations where Izzy Dolls have been delivered to date.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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A Tribute to Enduring Friendship<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As part of the celebrations for the Canadian Military Engineers\u2019 125th anniversary in 2028, the 125 Izzy Dolls for CME125<\/strong> legacy project honours the memory of Master Corporal Mark \u201cIzzy\u201d Isfeld<\/sup>. Combat engineers and military engineering associations are teaming up to present 125 numbered Izzy Dolls in framed shadow-box displays to community organizations across Canada<\/sup>\u2014including schools, libraries, community centres, museums, and city halls<\/sup>. These displays are placed in high-visibility public areas to leave a lasting tribute and spark ongoing conversations about service, peacekeeping, and the Izzy Doll tradition<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because only 125 numbered commemorative displays will be produced and tracked nationwide, requesting an official project number using this formis strictly reserved for members of Canadian Armed Forces CME Units and Military Engineering Associations<\/strong>. Eligible participants include Regular Force units (such as 1 CER, 2 CER, 4 ESR, and 17 Mission Support Squadron), Reserve Engineer Regiments and Squadrons (such as 31, 32, or 33 CER), school establishments like the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering (such as CFSME, or RMC), and local CME Association branches. Qualifying units submit their proposed recipient organization and display location to receive an approved number (1 to 125) and their official personalized backing pdf to print.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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