Elena Dyal holds her Daddy Doll. The company will provide pillows to 1,000 children who lost a parent in the military. Peter Cihelka/THE FREE LANCE-STAR

Daddy Dolls will be part of national effort for children who've lost a parent in military service

Date published: 10/9/2007

By CATHY DYSON

A local business that tries to bring comfort to children whose parents are deployed overseas will be part of a national program to honor families whose loved ones have died in military service.

Daddy Dolls Inc. of Stafford County will work with Snowball Express, a nonprofit group that brings the families of "fallen heroes" together for a few days of fun--and the chance to be with other grieving spouses and children.

Snowball Express started last year by flying almost 900 people to southern California for three days. All expenses were paid, as businesses and volunteer groups donated money and services, said Roy White, chairman of the board of directors.

This year, more than 1,500 people from 500 families will attend the November gathering. The group will visit Disneyland and be entertained by actor Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band.

Daddy Dolls will provide each child with a commemorative pillow featuring a photo of the youngster from the event.

Tricia Dyal of North Stafford, who founded Daddy Dolls with Nikki Darnell of Fredericksburg, is excited to be part of the event.

The Marine wives created the dolls, which feature pictures of their husbands in uniform, to comfort their children when their fathers were deployed in Iraq. They hope the pillows will be a happy memory for children who have lost a loved one.

Dyal already has started asking her neighbors and North Stafford businesses for help. Daddy Dolls has to raise $25,000 to cover the cost of the pillows.

"We're really excited to be a part of this event, but it's really sad when you think about it," she said. "A thousand pillows means a thousand kids have lost a parent."

For more information, e-mail
Email: Tricia@daddydolls.com or visit daddydolls.com.

Date published: 10/9/2007

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