10 Connects Hero: Operation Hug-A-Hero

Hillsborough County, Florida - Transforming Paisley into a "daddy's girl" is something Brian Dorr is still working on. "I love you, I see that smile," Dorr says, tickling his baby girl.

The Army Staff Sergeant just got back from Afghanistan and while away he missed plenty. "As soon as I took off and left her for the first time, it was a feeling that I can't even explain. And I missed her terribly," says Dorr.

While Paisley now has her papa back, for six months a doll was the next best thing. It's called a "Hug-A-Hero" doll and it features Brian's image and voice. Squeeze it and you hear a recording of Brian saying, "Daddy loves you and misses you."

Mom says Paisley dragged the doll everywhere. "She slept with it. It was everywhere with us. It was in the car seat next to her when we drove places," says Jackie Dorr.

You can purchase the daddy dolls for about $30, but not every military family can afford that and that's where Lisa Berg comes in. She runs a non-profit group called "Operation Hug-A-Hero" that gives the dolls away.

Berg comes from a military family and she knows how hard deployments can be, especially for a family with a tight budget. "It's important that the families in need, that need help getting through a deployment, that we are there to help them," says Berg.

The Dorrs hope more families can received dolls like theirs. They think Paisley's helped her recognize her dad again. "Once we were alone, she warmed up to me and knew who I was," says Brian.

The dolls are delightful but, of course, they're no substitute for the real deal. "Much better," Jack says, giving Brian a nudge. "This one hugs back."

There is a waiting list of military families requesting a Hug-A-Hero doll. To find out how you can help, click here.