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)  

[MomByHeart]

I am working on getting the address...the family moved out of town after he graduated hs.  I will pm you when I get it.  Thanks for your kind words!!!

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

mombyheart, I got your message - thank you.  When you can thank your son and give him a extra tight hug.  What an amazing son you have, running into danger to save others!  Those are the true REAL heroes in this world.  No mistake about it.

[MomByHeart]

Oh, dear, ladies I think I was unclear about my son....he is a corpsman, but he has not been deployed yet.  Right now he is Europe,  safe as can be!  He is expecting to go with the Marines at some point, but not there yet. Sorry for the confusion. 

[Kimmy P]

Thank you mombyheart!!! You have a big heart!!  ♥ 

[Julie (Cory's mom)]

Have 3 large "Priority" boxes full of baby wipes ready to be mailed out next weekend......or however soon I can get to the Post Office.  Our Physical Therapy Dept. collected them for the Special Hugs Unit.

[Kimmy P]

Wahoooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!! Julie that's awesome!!!!! They're going to feel so loved!!! ;-)

[HisMom]

Mombyheart he does not have to be deployed for us to love and respect and honor him.  He is stepping up to the plate.  He has made the committment he has volunteered to defend us.  Hug away!

[HisMom]

YEAHHHHHHH for the wipes department! Way to go Julie. 

[Kimmy P]

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello ladies!! Special Hugs is sending out an S.O.S. for a coupon from Sunday’s paper (5/15)!! SH needs 11-$2 off Gillette Body Wash coupons AND  1 B1 Gillette Body wash Get 1 deodorant for Free coupon.  I have 11 coupons that are Buy 1 Gillette Body Wash get 1 Gillette deodorant for FREE (5/1)!  At Walgreens I can use the $2.00 off WITH the other coupon. It gets BETTER!!! The Body wash is on sale!!! If you have these coupons and don’t plan to use them would you mind putting them in an envelope and sending them to me?? PM me and I’ll send you my address.

3 for $10

 

$10.00

-2.00  coupon (body wash 1)

-2.00  coupon (body wash 2)

-2.00  coupon (body wash 3)

$4.00 PLUS $3.00 Reg. Rewards PLUS 3 FREE deodorants

 

3 for $10.00

 

$10.00

-2.00

-2.00

-2.00

-3.00 Reg. Rewards

$1.00 PLUS $3.00 Reg. Rewards PLUS 3 FREE Deodorants

 

3 for $10.00

 

$10.00

 -2.00

 -2.00

 -2.00

-3.00 Reg. Rewards

$1.00 PLUS $3.00 Reg. Rewards PLUS 3 FREE Deodorants

 

3 for $10.00

 

$10.00

 -2.00

 -2.00

 -2.00

-3.00 Reg. Rewards

$1.00 PLUS $3.00 Reg. Rewards PLUS 3 FREE Deodorants

 

 

 

That’s a grand total of $7.00 for 12 Body wash and 12 deodorants!!  We’d also have an extra $3.00 Reg. Rewards for our next purchase (it’s kind of like costing us only $4.00! for the Body Wash and Deodorant)! I won’t be sending the deodorant to Camp Dwyer since they don’t need any, but I plan to send it to a MAS adoption. J

 

I just called my church office and asked if the secretaries had the coupon for $2.00 off Gillette Body wash from Sunday’s paper (or any of the others).  They get the paper, but they need to see if their husbands have taken it out to the trash yet.

 

 

PLEASE ask your friends!!!!!!!!! Maybe they have Fusion $4.00 off coupons they would share from the 5/1 coupon insert? If you don’t plan to use them and send them to Dwyer you could send them to SH and SH would buy the Fusion Razors.

 

 

[2 in the service]

I am ready to send 12 baby wipes paks, hair ties, 3  body wash bottles and female deodorant today.  Thanks for the opportunity to help out.  My daughter is deployed and I'd like to think someone would return the kindness if she needed it someday.  You ladies are AMAZING!!!!!

[Kimmy P]

You are AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And so is your daughter!!!  ♥

[D~W~G]

Hi Ladies, I said earlier that I would be able to make pj's well unfortunatly I can not. I  have to finish up a few other projects that I was working on. I deeply regret this but perhaps later in the year I can help you all out. I do have some stretch knits that I have had in my stash that will make a few female pair if anyone would like I can send the fabric to them, its a few yards? PM me :) Sorry