Connor Whitford is 15 months old but has only seen his dad for a total of 24 days. Luckily, Connor has a way to not only remember his dad every day, but carry him around as well.

Connor’s father, Sgt. Paul Whitford of the 1st and 133th Infantry, has been deployed to Saudi Arabia and Iraq since Connor was born. Although his son has met him on two occasions – Christmas and his first birthday – Connor needs another way to remember him each day he is gone.

This is where the ISU Extension stepped in. The organization hosts a program called Operation Give a Hug in which small dolls are given to children whose parents are deployed. The dolls house a small, plastic sleeve where a photo of their parents or relatives can be placed.

Chris Gleason, Youth and 4-H program coordinator at Iowa State, is in charge of the program and said it has helped several children already.

“There’s been about 1,000 kids in Iowa that we’ve helped out with this,” Gleason said. “You can imagine the disappointment and stress this [deployment] has added to their lives.”

Sarah Whitford, Connor’s mother and senior in child, adult and family services, said the program has really helped Connor and her cope with the absence of her husband.

“Paul recorded himself reading books on a video and we have a photo album with pictures of Dad,” Sarah said. “One of my friends referred us to the program and I got one of the dolls and now it has a picture of Dad in it.”

With the help of ISU Extension’s program, Connor can now have a “hug” from his dad whenever he wants.

Gleason said the program was started in 2004 by moms who had seen the dolls on a Web site.

“They ran across these and thought they would be perfect for kids when their [parents] are deployed,” Gleason said. “This way, they could have something personal to hang on to.”

This program is part of a larger organization called Operation: Military Kids. The program is also hosted by the ISU Extension and helps provide other resources to families with parents in the military.

“We do day camps, residential camps and a 4-H conference this summer,” Gleason said. “We are working very hard to educate the public about the issues that military kids face.”

Gleason said they are starting to work with school districts to make sure they have the resources needed to help students whose parents are deployed.

“There are many times when these kids will be the only kids like that in the school,” Gleason said. “We find ways to show the community what they’re going through.”

Although Connor is not in school yet, the program has found a way to help someone as young as he is.

“I think the program [helps]. I think sometimes the children are completely forgotten about during deployment and it can be hardest on them because they can’t really grasp [what is happening],” Sarah said. “You can try to tell the children whoever is leaving is doing something good, but when they have programs like this, it really helps reinforce to the children that others are thinking about them.”

As for Connor, he has another gift for his dad when he comes home in August. He has learned to sign the word “dad” as well as other words such as “mom,” “please,” “thank you” and “love.”

Sarah said that Connor’s childcare center incorporates sign language in some of its programs and she wanted Connor to have a way to express himself before he could do it verbally.

“I knew that it would melt Paul’s heart when he could say ‘daddy’ because he’s going to miss those first real words,” Sarah said. “Just yesterday, he woke up and signed for ‘dad’. I think it’s just the having the doll he can hug that really makes the connection for him. It makes it an easy transition.”

Although Iowans have really helped the program succeed, Gleason said there is always more people can do for military families.

“I appreciate the support that Iowa is giving to military families,” Gleason said.

“Remember, we have Valentine’s Day coming up. What can we do to help these military families? These [families] are the ones making all the sacrifices and so many of us aren’t.”

For more information on the program or to help a family, contact Chris Gleason at (515) 294-1557 or by e-mail at [email protected].