Special Hugs Project

[diane {Shawns mom}]

 

hug (h g)

v. hugged, hug·ging, hugs

 

v.tr.

1. To clasp or hold closely, especially in the arms, as in affection; embrace.

2. To hold fast to; CHERISH.

3. To stay close to.

v.intr.

To embrace or cling together closely.

The MAS (Molly's Adopt A Sailor) started to see wounded troops and their information coming our way through the website & the idea of the Special Hugs Project was born.  If there are troops who are wounded or injured, they are in need of encouragement & support, too! 

Every project has a story and here is how we came to form & support Special Hugs:

An Army Chaplain at a Combat Hospital in Afghanistan asked us if we could send some cards and snacks to the wounded in January 2011.  Of course we wanted to support them!  Working with the Chaplain, we developed a plan to send something to remind them of home every month.  We’ve done pancake breakfasts, sent cups of soup and instant oatmeal, provided movie nights, sent pillows, provided the fixings for S’mores, even sent a live Christmas tree, and much, much more over the months that followed.

Then our contacts disappeared ...  We had to find new ones!  And, quickly!  Quickly evaporated ...

BUT, then 2 Massachusetts Navy Moms found a surgeon/emergency medicine physician who had recently returned from A’stan.  They met him for lunch and to chat about Special Hugs.  He was impressed with & proud of what we’re doing.  So, on a leap of faith, he was asked to be our “medical advisor” which he immediately & proudly accepted!  It has taken 7-1/2 long months of very hard work to get a new POC in place.

Special Hugs is very fortunate to have Dr. Jim to help and advise us.  He was the vital link in finding our new POC, LCMR Ron!

Each month (will try) Special Hugs will announce a new “Mission”.  Special Hugs “Missions” will consist of shipping only the items requested, & the monthly mission will change.

Our “We Stitch Love Project” will continue to provide and keep track of the number of pillowcases (the kind stitched with LOVE) for each mission, as needed.  It’s our gift to them. ♥  Patients take them with them once they leave the hospital. So, if you are stitching or decorating pillowcases, please contact [e-mail]. Someone will be in touch.

 

 

SPECIAL HUGS

 Carol received this message below....

Please if you can  help out this month-not to interfere with the monthly adoption & shipping-please do!...

They NEED OUR SUPPORT!!! That is all they ask..So let's do it...JUST DO IT

 

"if we could just help with 1 or 2"..WOW, they do NOT know WHO WE ARE....come MOMs.....get into formation and MOVE it..♥  

 

Molly’s Adopt A Sailor

Special Hugs

September Mission

 

 

September has arrived in the sandbox and with it somewhat cooler weather.

 

Our POC has informed me that they are in desperate need of some pillows.  Whatever we can send will be put to immediate use!!  They will also need twin size blankets (extra long twin, if you can find them).

 

Last month we sent pillowcases for female patients; however, their supply of pillowcases to be given to patients when they leave is depleted, except for females.

 

Since we are sending new pillows and blankets, let’s mix it up a bit by making it a special movie night as well.  They could really use a few newly released movies!!

 

So our mission – should you choose to accept it – is going to be a cozy one!

 

Just picture the scene, patients tucked into their beds with nice new pillows, warm, cozy blankets watching a movie and eating some movie type snacks (popcorn, candy, and jello or pudding cups for those on a soft diet).  Doesn’t it warm your heart?

 

Shipping will take place between October 7 – 10

 

 

. Shipping can be done any day this month but not to interfere with our regular shipping

The addresses for the hospitals are being posted in “We Ship Love” and will be updated as we obtain information from our POCs. 

*link for Special Hugs Labels

*  SHLABELS%5B1%5D.docx 

 

**Peanut butter and jelly (packed separately due to possible allergies)  

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Here is an email from the Operating Officer at SHUK.  I decided to include Easter bags (baskets don't pack well! LOL) for the patients and enlisted.  Here is her note:

 

Good afternoon,

 

I am LT Hxxx, I work closely with your POC. I wanted to say thank you very much. Everything you all send brings such joy to our patients & crew. Being a mom myself and having to leave my girls behind is hard and you having your own son in the military brings more meaning to your packages. You are very thoughtful and I appreciate all that you contribute to the morale of all of us here. Thank you and Happy Easter!!

 

Thank you,

 

LT H. Sxxxxx

Operations Officer

Surgical Plt

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

This note is really to all of you, because the packages don't come from me alone -- YOU play the major role in these missions, I am only their contact person!

So, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO!! <3

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Well ... now that the adoption of the SH's staff is over, we will have a SH Mission for May.  It won't be announced until around the 15th so it won't interfere with the May Adoption in MAS, but I will let you all know.

 

In case you are wondering we didn't do one last month, so it wouldn't be confusing as to what was going to whom at the CRCC/WWU or SHUK.

 

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Thanks Diane!  I told our POC John that the Special Hugs missions would go forward, not to worry - Molly Mommas are on it.  He sent me a very sweet message along with his condolences.  He has been such a sweetheart to work with.

I hope to be "back in the game" by July.  But in the meantime I will check in from time to time to see how things are going, even if I don't post anything.

Love you all!  Thanks for your cards, emails, & especially your prayers.  They have meant the world to me!  I can't begin to tell you how much you have all helped me out at this very hard time in my life.

HUGS>>

[Kim (Ethan's Mom)]

Is there a shipping date for the June mission? I shipped laundry soap for the February adoption and just ordered and shipped through Amazon. Do we know if they would rather have powdered, liquid or pods? I'll also get some underwear, (boxers or briefs?) and some good razors with refills.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

I don't know the answer to these questions, Diane would be the best source right now.  I know that Dr. Jim said boxers.  Many of the injuries are to that area because of EODs, IEDs, whatever!  And so boxers allow for personal privacy for the men, but also easier access to the wounds for the nurses and doctors.  The shipping date for SH is always the first week of the following month, so as to not conflict with the adoption shipping.  I would guess it would be July 5-10 (that's what I would have picked), but again Diane might know.

Hopefully I will have my paperwork done so that I can take over again in July.  At least that is my goal right now!

Thanks Kim.  I'm sorry I couldn't return your call.  I had 4 calls in a row after we hung up and I thought that by then Addie would be looking for her Gramma.  We'll talk real soon -- promise.

[Kim (Ethan's Mom)]

Thanks Donna! That makes a lot of sense! I will get the boxers! If I can get an idea of what kind of detergent they want, I will just go ahead and order through Amazon since I don't pay the shipping (Amazon Prime pays off again!). I'm sure they can use it whenever and then I will get the other things and mail them with my cards.

It was good to talk to you, Donna and I understand about taking the calls. Addie doesn't let me get much time on the phone so you were right! Hugs

[DramaSoul]

Hi All!

I have been reading and not posting 'cause my Corpsman is home (now that the play is finished) and I have more family arriving today (sister and bil from Australia, nephew and his wife from Ft. Sam...they are an Army nurse anesthetist and surgeon...his wife is the surgeon!) for a family reunion...first time since my mom died 2+ years ago.  To say it has been great having my son home would be a massive understatement. We are heading out to the gym and then a movie!  Imagine...he's twenty-something and still wants to spend time with his Mom!

Donna...you have been in my prayers and thoughts.  Hugs to you. 

Sorry I haven't been able to participate much of late.  That is hopefully changing soon.  I will check to see if I can offer something for this SH adoption.

Blessings to all of you!

[carols_kitchen]

Woo Hoo!  We got a thank you today from CLR-2

Short, but don't expect any more than that knowing what they are doing.

"Thank you very much for sending our platoon a care package.  We enjoyed everything and are very grateful for your support."

This was a packing party in Illinois in Springfield. 

[carols_kitchen]

Woo hoo! Purex detergent pods $4.70 each. Buy one, get TWO free at Walgreens. Will be shipping to our MASH hospitals in Afghanistan through Molly's Adopt A Sailor~Special Hugs

[Kim (Ethan's Mom)]

Carol, I'll have two boxes going this month. I went to Walgreens after seeing your post and got 6 pacs of the Purex pods. I also got some from amazon and had them shipped. I have 4 good razors plus blades and 15 boxers and will fill the boxes with instant oatmeal if I need to fill the boxes. They will go out by the end of the week unless shipping is later. I may have overlooked the shipping date.

[carols_kitchen]

Thanks Kim.  Shipping wraps up this week.  I've been busy canning and freezing fruit, and my boxes are just waited for my notes.  So even the Mom this month is behind!  Gotta do fresh foods when they arrive.  Actually got bing cherries here in Illinois from a special truck all the way in from Oregon!