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)  

[Kim (Ethan's Mom)]

I'll be sending 4 pillows. I am buying and sending them through amazon.com. I went to the store yesterday and by the time I buy 2 pillows and pay for shipping, I can get 4 for the same $$$ with free shipping since I am an amazon prime member. It will also let me add a note since I am sending them as a gift. 

[Lorraine]

Great idea, Kim. I'm also a prime member, so I'll check into it and see if I can do the same.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Great idea Kim and Lorraine!  How did you get to be a prime member??

I'll have to talk to my daughter-in-law and see if she is.  She and Matthew are so much more into on-line things than I am.  But I'm learning ... just S-L-O-W-L-Y!!

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

What kind of pillows did you find?  I am going to go looking when I finish what I'm doing here!

[Lorraine]

I found a Serta 2 pack for just under $15. When you type in pillows on Amazon be sure you read the information because some of the items are cases and other accessories for pillows and not pillows themselves. I also read the reviews to make sure that is what I want to purchase.

[Kim (Ethan's Mom)]

Those are the ones I found. The cheapest pillows I found around here were $5 each and that's without shipping.

[Pat L. in IL]

Just went out to the mailbox and guess what I found???? A handwritten note as follows:

 

Hello Mrs. L,

Just wanted to say "thank you" for the care packages. The Marines/Sailors/Soldiers/Airmen are truly grateful for these things and happy to know we have this kind of support back home. These things always put a smile on their face! Again, thank you & God bless.

ENS XXXXXXXX

[Denise (Dee)]

Pat - same here.  Love these surprises in my mailbox also.

Hello Ms. B

Just wanted to thank you for the care package. The Marines/Sailora/Soldiers & Airmen of the Leatherneck Medical Complex all appreciate the support. We are all grateful that there are people like you and your organization that you keep us in your thoughts.

ENS

 

Dee

 

 

[Kim (Ethan's Mom)]

Last week I won 100 fresh apples and I told them to ship them to our Special Hugs. Today I mailed off a box of caramel apple wraps, caramel dip, peanut butter and Nutella for them. Then I filled in with instant oatmeal and some fruit rollups!

Donna, I sent 4 fleece blankets, 4 pillows, a case of cup o soup some black socks, popcorn, hot chocolate mix and some snacks for the adoption.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Thank you to everyone for supporting our wounded heroes this month.  And the added bonus of fresh apples ... well that is like icing on the cake!

My box is going out tomorrow (the MA Mom packing party got in my way).  I've got 4 blankets, 2 new movies and some snacks.  I'm planning to go back on line and order some pillows as well.  So we've gotten a good start at providing them with some much needed items now that summer is fast disappearing for them.

[Kim (Ethan's Mom)]

I wasn't able to order the pillows online. They wouldn't ship to the FPO address. I asked why they wouldn't ship and they said they would check but I've never received an answer. I tried to order through Sam's Club also and they wouldn't ship to a FPO either. I just bought them and vacuum packed them and shipped them parcel because I was afraid of waiting too long for an answer. I may try to find somewhere else and see if they will ship

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Kohl's, Walmart and I think Target department stores will ship to APOs & FPOs.  I sent things from both Kohl's and Walmart before and they went with no problems.  Target is where I saw the best in-store deals, but I haven't had the chance to go on line and see what they have there.  Sometimes they offer more, but other times less choices.  Just seems to be by chance.  Hope that helps.