News

Operation Voices and Love

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Hillary Stonemetz
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs

If you're not sure how important it is for children to hear voices of loved ones during long deployment separations, a new local program can explain it very well.

Operation Voices and Love, a program conceived by 11 year old Hunter and six year old Carter Fangmeyer, provides stuffed animals with special voice recorders to parents who want an extra special gift for their children - a gift that replays the parent's voice.

The Fangmeyer children got the idea when their dad gave them a bear with a special recorded message. Now, when they miss their dad, they squeeze their bears and hear his voice. Their wish is to share their unique gift with other children in the same situation. O.V.A.L. is a non-profit project which purchases its bears from Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.

"The deploying military member can record a special message that can be placed in a bear provided by Build-A-Bear. If a service member is deploying for at least six months and has a child 12 of are or younger, they can take advantage of this program," said Tech. Sgt. Kevin Friday, Airman and Family Readiness NCOIC. Servicemembers deploying for a second or more time for at least four months and who have children 12 years of age or younger can also use this program.

The Fangmeyer family assembles each bear themselves. To date, 70 bears have been assembled and given away. Donations recently increased due to the holiday season, however, support is needed all year long.

"People need to realize that deployments are year 'round and we need donations year 'round," said Diane Fangmeyer, founder of Operation Voices and Love. "We want to go national with this."

You can make a donation to O.V.A.L. at any American National Bank in Omaha, Nebraska or any People's National Bank in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

For more information contact the Airman and Family Readiness Center at 294-4329.