Before the death of their son Master Cpl. Mark Isfeld, Mrs. Isfeld would knit woollen dolls for her son to distribute to destitute children.

Following Mark's death in 1994, the Isfelds continued to provide these 'Izzy' dolls to Canadian soldiers to give to orphaned and vulnerable children in war-torn regions around the world.

As a result there are children around the world who's first impression of Canada is a woollen doll with a blue beret.

Carol died in August 2007 and Brian followed in January 2008.

In their honour two mine detection dogs, named Carol and Brian , were trained and are now working in Bosnia.