“Flat Daddy™” is making the news!

PLEASE READ - The funds for Free Flat Daddy posters from Bubba's Belly Run are now gone and we currently have a backlog of over 200 additional requests! We have had to temporarily take down the link to the request form. We will reactivate it when we catch up and are able to fill more free requests. It's not fair to you to take a request that we are unable to honor in a timely manner. If you would like to purchase a Flat Daddy, please go directly to www.FlatDaddies.com which connects you to the printing company. Thank you for your response and I hope we can issue more Flat Daddies in the near future.
 

If you’re reading this page it’s probably because you’ve heard about the Flat Daddy™ posters (Flat Mommy, too) and the wonderful way they are being used to help children stay connected to a deployed parent. He/She is also filling the “blank space” in family occasion photos, event and trips. Just look at the pictures to see all the places they've been! It’s exciting.

By the way, isn’t it great what the units in Maine have done with the Flat Daddy™ Poster idea? They created them for all their families so the children can have a visual reinforcement of their deployed parent. The Bangor newspaper, the Boston Globe and even the New York Times are talking about it. Guess that means I’ll continue to bring Flat Daddy™ to all the conferences because it’s still going strong.

I’m getting a lot of calls regarding Flat Daddy™ Posters and most people want to know how to create them, and if I have resources that will make them for you. This page will bring you the information you’re looking for.

The story that started “Flat Daddy™”, and how to create one yourself:

Cindy, and her 19 month old daughter Sarah, introduce you to Flat Daddy™.  Three months after Sarah’s dad was deployed, Cindy took a "waist up" photo (highest quality 8x10 color photo) of him, dressed in fatigues, to a local print shop (see #2 below). They enlarged it to life size (see #1 below for how to determine the finished size of the figure) and mounted it on foam board (see #3 below) - like a big, two-dimensional paper doll. "He was missing so many family gatherings" said Cindy. So, Flat Daddy™ traveled to graduations, weddings, and other celebrations where he took his rightful place in the photographs (see #4 below). Copies of the photos were sent to Daddy overseas so he could see where he'd traveled.  Cindy keeps an album at home of everywhere Flat Daddy™ has been...even tucking Sarah into bed. Speaking of Sarah, real Daddy received a Flat Sarah, minus the foam board, so he could see how much she'd grown.

Some How-to’s and photo tips for Flat Daddy™ as shared above

#1 -Finished size measured using either person’s width between shoulders – if they are still home, or the  measurement between shoulder seams on a dress shirt left at home.

#2 -Use a printing source that is capable of copying blueprints, or has a “plotter”.     They need to enlarge from a high quality 8 X 10 photograph or preferably a digital photo that is at least 2MB . Note that I’ve been told as I travel, that many bases, posts or armories have AV/graphics departments that have the capabilities to create these figures for you at a fraction of the cost!  So check it out while looking for a printer in your area.

#3 -Use black foam core or color the white edge with a black Sharpie^® marker so it doesn’t show up in photos. You can find the styrofoam board (similar to what kids use for Science Fair displayboards) at hobby shops or art supply stores.  “Dry Mount” the full size photo to the foam board BEFORE cutting around it.  The person who enlarges that photo may also be able to mount the picture. If you do it yourself, ask at the art store for what you need to dry mount. This may also require heat like from an iron on low setting. The foamcore you mount to should be easy to cut around the figure with an Exacto^®  knife.

#4 – When taking pictures, tip figure slightly forward to avoid glare.

So…you don’t want to make a Flat Daddy™ Poster yourself?

You’ve probably discovered by now that going to a “Big Box” print shop (I won’t mention names) is way too expensive – well over $100! Try these ideas for a less expensive alternative:

1 - Start by checking with the graphics department at your local armory, base or post. I've been told by lots of folks that they have helped by blowing up the photo and then the families can spray mount it on Styrofoam board and cut around it with a craft knife pretty easily. As long as the department has a "plotter" (copier to make extra large color copies) then they can do it. Just be sure to give them a digital photo file to start with that is of the highest resolution (at least 2MB) possible for blowing up. The best size to make is the “waist up” figure. They are much easier to transport and set up in photos.

2 - Go to a local printer in your community and tell them what you're looking to create. Often, the smaller ones like to be a part of helping out and will create it for much less money...or maybe even donate it. It's worth a try.  I’ve just discovered that OfficeMax copy centers now have large format printers and are capable of making Flat Daddy™ Posters up to 24” X 36”. The prices start at $29 but are printed on a standard paper that is not very sturdy. You will definitely have to mount them on foamcore board or pay for laminate.

3 - I’ve just discovered that both OfficeMax and Office Depot copy centers now have large format printers and are capable of making Flat Daddy™ Posters up to 24” X 36”. The prices start at $29 but are printed on a standard paper that is not very sturdy. You will definitely have to mount them on foamcore board or pay for laminate. You can also get it printed on sturdier paper for about $40 and even vinyl for about $55. I’m currently working with the corporate offices of both companies to see if I can get a discount on these prices for military families. I’ll let you know how that works out through the website and newsletter.

4 - STATUS of the FREE Flat Daddy Program established in September 2006:

Since September 1, 2006 SFC Graphics, in Toledo, Ohio has embraced the responsibility and expended the effort to make Flat Daddies and Mommies free to deserving children of deployed U.S. military service members. The company established a website and online ordering system to make it possible, and has received and filled thousands of orders in the past 20 months. While the activity has garnered the attention and praise of children, spouses, groups and organizations who have benefited from the offer, not to mention the media from around the world, it has not attracted enough like-minded financial supporters to sustain the free offer.

Due to the lack of adequate financial support, the company must make the unfortunate and difficult decision to discontinue the free offer until additional funding becomes available.

Over 6,000 orders valued at over $275,000 have been given away to date. Any orders received after April 10, 2008 will be asked to pay $49.50, and will ship in three weeks or less. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services.   The company regrets having to take this step, but the impact of the ongoing free offer coupled with other economic factors has made it imperative that this free offer be paused until other funding sources become available.

I know we all thank SFC Graphics for all that they have done, and I encourage you to consider still going the route of paying $49.50 to get a Flat Daddy printed on strong adhesive vinyl directly through them at the information below or at their website: www.flatdaddies.com.

If you’d like to help, learn how at www.flatdaddies.com for larger donations, and if you would like to sponsor 1 or 2 to families who are waiting for theirs, go to www.OperationConnectAFamily.com for a quick and easy way to help immediately.

	Elaine G. Dumler Frankly Speaking... 6460 W. 98th Court Westminster, CO  80021	303-430-0592 - phone 303-430-7679 - fax	email: Elaine@ElaineDumler.com website: www.ElaineDumler.com
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