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)  

[Kimmy P]

Cup O Noodles for Dywer! Thanks to the Tampa Packing Party!!!  Army Navy 3697 even provided the shipping! God bless the the Tampa community and the Army Navy 3697!!!  You have melted my heart!

We're not sure how many Cup O Nooldes are in these boxes, but there's ALOT!!!  Molly & Dana shipped them yesterday and like Molly said "They're on their way like a herd of turtles!" LOL! Parcel post is slow...but it's the most pratical for our budget.  I emailed our POC to let them know more cup o noodles are on their way and they said our emails brighten their day...it's nice to know people care about us! sighhhh.....

 

They aslo said our first shippment of Cup o Noodles have started to arrive. YAY!!!!!!!!! Way to go momma's!!

 

 

[Pat L. in IL]

WOOHOOOOOOOO!!!!!

[Susan mom to Niko]

So good to know they are going to have cup of soups and pancakes to give those injured!!  Easy on the tummy!!  You moms rock!!

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

I bought a box of Krusteaz (sp) pancake mix to try out on my family since I was looking for something for breakfast last Sat. while I was headed away for our packing party.  Welllllll, I am happy to report that the taste is "just great".  That from my son so you can't expect better raves than that.  But the tell-tale sign for a mother -- they ate up half the box!!  Just 2 of them.  My hubby looked a little sheepish when he said they were so good, they just had to make seconds.  Seconds???  I'm thinking there were thirds made too.  So I guess I know the answer to my question.  BTW it was the mix with blueberries & my son doesn't like things mixed into the pancake batter usually.  So I guess that rates them even higher...   LOL

[Cheryl S.]

Oh, yeah. That's the only kind we buy...yummy pancakes. Reminds me, I need to go buy some and get my box out!

[Susan mom to Niko]

That is so funny...  when my kids were young they used to love to put 'odd' stuff into the pancake batter or their oatmeal...  over the years I think they mixed about everything in the kitchen into one batch or another.  The 'good ones' they would take on boy scout outings to amaze their friends with tasty treats...  their real favorite was bits of apple with cinnamon and brown sugar.  They even took that one backpacking using dehydrated apples!

[Cheryl S.]

I'm sending two boxes to Dwyer with four boxes of pancake mix and three bottles of syrup. I have a little bit of room in the boxes. Can I just send things that are on the list?

[Susan mom to Niko]

Indeed you can... just be sure it is not toiletries or soaps...  otherwise everything will taste like soap!!  Shop til you drop and fill those boxes up!!

[Cheryl S.]

Sounds good...thank you! Now I just hope by tomorrow I can get to the post office. Terrible ice storm here last night and more snow coming today on top of that...what a mess. I hate winter!!!!!!!!!

[Kimmy P]

Hello Huggers!!

I have a list of who is sending pancake mix and syrup. This is what I have so far:

YMM-5 boxes of pancake mix and 3 bottles of syrup.

Kim Ethan's Mom- 1 10lb bag  of pancake mix and 2 boxes of pancake mix. Plus 2 bottles of syrup (and other yummmy toppings). Cheryl S. 4 boxes of pancake mix and 2 bottles of syrup.

 

If I don't have your count, please let me know. I know some have said they have shipped, but they haven't given me a count of how much they have sent. We need to make sure we ship the pancake mix and syrup this week. Soon we'll have a new mission. :-)

[Pat L. in IL]

Good morning Kim, As soon as I can get to the PO, 5 boxes pancake mix, 4 bottles syrup.

[Kimmy P]

Gotcha Pat!!