On 15 August 2024, the Colonel Commandant. Major General D. Benjamin, CMM, CD (Ret') hosted, Mrs Shirley O'Connell, at a luncheon to express the Canadian Military Engineers' appreciation for her work ars as the Izzy Doll Mama.
MGen Benjamin took this occasion to induct Mrs O'Connell into the Order of the Pukka Sapper. Following is the text of this honour:
Mrs Shirley O'Connell has been the "Izzy Doll Mama" for almost 20 years. In this role, she has helped bring comfort to millions of children around the world who are suffering under conditions of war and from natural disasters. Through the Izzy Doll project, she has also helped inform the world of the peacekeeping and humanitarian work performed by the Canadian Forces and Canadian Military Engineers, as exemplified by Master Corporal Mark Isfeld. Mrs. O'Connell's leadership and promotion of the Izzy Doll project has engaged Canadians of all ages, from seniors who have knitted and crocheted many of the dolls, to our youth who have been inspired by her passion as she has told the Story of the Izzy Doll.
Mrs Shirley O'Connell`s extraordinary work with the Izzy Doll project has been instrumental in delivering some two million Izzy Dolls around the world. She has made a difference in this world…. "one doll at a time." The Izzy Doll Mama has teamed with many of our deployed Canadian Military Engineer units to deliver the Izzy Dolls. We consider her part of our CME Family because of her work to perpetuate the legacy of Mark Isfeld's humanitarism.
The Canadian Military Engineers have long considered the Izzy Doll Mama to be part of our CME Family. Awarding Mrs O'Connell the Order of the Pukka Sapper formalizes this relationship.
Go HERE for an update on the Izzy Doll project