American Red Cross - Southeast Minnesota Chapter

Flat Daddies Ease the Stress of Deployment on Military Families

Military families face many challenges during a deployment. One of the toughest of these challenges is minimizing the effect of long, and sometimes multiple deployments on young children. It is in the beginning of a child's life that the bonds between parent and child grow the strongest. For many deploying service men and women there is a very real fear that their young children will not remember them when they return home. Flat Daddies® can help.

A Flat Daddy is a life size portrait of your loved one from the waist up. When Flat Daddy arrives you can hang him on the wall or mount him on a piece of cardboard to make him more durable and portable. Many families take their Flat Daddies® everywhere, from football games to piano recitals. Flat Daddies® sit at the table for family dinners and even go on family vacations!

“We have 3 children at home all under the age of 5. I was amazed to see how excited all of them were about their Flat Daddy. The 2 year-old plays with him all day and even tries to feed him. The 8-month-old constantly stares at him and babbles while smiling. The 4-year-old talks to him and tells him everything that is going on. In the morning and before they go to bed they always kiss him and tell him that they love him. This is such a great thing for our lives-thank you so much!!!” – Tracey Whitmore. Her testimonial and many others can be read on www.flatdaddies.com.

Flat Daddies® not only help ease the stress of a deployment but can often make the reunification process an easier one as well. Younger children have a difficult time remembering their mothers or fathers after a 15 or 18 month deployment. Flat Daddies® help to keep those bonds strong by giving children a visible reminder of their real daddies, or mommies, everyday.

The Southeast Minnesota Chapter of the American Red Cross will provide, free of charge, up to 100 Flat Daddies® or Mommies to military families in Dodge, Fillmore, Olmsted, Steele, and Wabasha counties who are currently enduring or preparing for deployment. The Southeast Minnesota Chapter, as well as several other chapters in Minnesota, received grant funding from the Department of Defense, which has made this special project possible.

If you are a military family living in Dodge, Fillmore, Olmsted, Steele, or Wabasha counties and are interested in ordering a Flat Daddy or Flat Mommy please contact Kris Martinson at the Southeast Minnesota Chapter of the American Red Cross, (507) 287-2200 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to order or for more information.

If you live in Steele County please contact Alysia Yeager at the Steele County branch office at (507) 451-2777 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

• First, middle, and last names
• Social Security Number
• Date of Birth
• Branch of Service and Rank
• Military Address
• Last known location (if different than military address)

It is advisable to also give the above information to another family member or close friend who does not live in the same geographic area and could serve as an emergency contact.

Red Cross services to military families are available 24/7 and are FREE. If you live in Dodge, Fillmore, Olmsted, or Wabasha county and would like to send an emergency message to a service member call the chapter at (507) 287-2200.

Donate Phone Cards
Operation Uplink is a program that keeps military personnel and hospitalized veterans in touch with their families and loved ones by providing them with a free phone card. Go to www.operationuplink.com to make a donation.

Direct People to Dear Abby
The U.S. Department of Defense, and the U.S. Department of the Navy will allow you to send a Sailor, Marine, Soldier, Airman, or Coast Guardsman a holiday greeting or message of support at anyservicemember.navy.mil/About.html.

Donate Blood on a Regular Basis
You can give blood on a regular basis...every eight weeks up to five times a year. The body replaces the "missing" fluid within 24 hours, and red blood cells are replaced within weeks following a blood donation. More regular blood donors are needed to maintain an adequate blood supply. When a shortage occurs, it takes a minimum of two to seven days to replenish the supply and potentially restore the inventory levels to normal. Olmsted county residents can give blood at the Mayo Clinic Blood Bank. Please call (507) 284-4475 to make an appointment.

Volunteer Your Services
Many military service members who normally volunteer are now deployed. Honor them by serving in their place. Volunteer to visit Veterans Administration Hospitals, nursing homes, coach children's sports teams, feed the homeless or other community outreach programs.

Financial Donations
Make a financial donation to the Southeast Minnesota Chapter to support its outreach to active duty military service members, reservists, National Guardsmen and their families. Financial donations to support the military services may be mailed to 310 14th Street SE, Rochester, MN, 55904. Secure credit card donations may be made by visiting www.redcross.org.