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]

You can send the pillowcases anytime, Lauren. Do you have any pictures, ma'am?

Camp Dwyer has gotten really busy.....now that it's warmer the Al-Qaida is more active and we have more wounded military coming through the hospitals. Our heroes will need more pick me ups. ♥

[HisMom]

Hey what do you think of this idea.  How about if we ask to put big boxes outside the hospital cafeterias with a sign on it that says "Needed-New and Gently used scrubs for Injured Military personnel"  with a short explaination underneath of who we are and what we are doing and why? 

[Kimmy P]

Hismom, I think that would be great!  Good idea!!  I would maybe ask for men's scrubs...no women's, I'm afraid we'll get more women's scrubs than they need. There are TONS of ladies that work in the hospitals....and we'll get TONS of ladies scrubs. The female ratio to male at Dwyer is small...so I don't think we'll have any problem collecting enough ladies scrubs through fb and our friends.

[Kathie-Illinois]

WOW HisMom that is a great idea, my daughter is a Pharm, in a large hospital, I'll have her start asking around. Love this project.

[D~W~G]

that is such a great idea! I will see if I can talk to the hospitals here

[lauren]

well if we get more women's, can't we use the extra;s for material for decorating pillow cases

[D~W~G]

http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=63789

found this article about the critical care and moving patients, they are so doing gods work. It is so amazing how far medicine has come :)

[Carol(ship12 Div.091)]

Just a suggestion:  most plain colored scrubs are Unisex so can be used for both girls and guys, you might suggest getting medium, large & xtra large when you collect at the hospitals  that way they would be more apt to fit the guys.

[Kimmy P]

Thanks, Carol! I've never worn scrubs and don't have any nurses in my family to know the difference. LOL! That's good info to have!!  As for sizes...  I think medium, large and xtra large are good sizes to ask for.

 

 

[HisMom]

even if the person is not x-large but has a leg injury they need the room to go over dressings and such and the draw string tops are great for gathering so they don't fall down. I think X-large definately good idea. 

 

[HisMom]

If we get small ones just stuff the legs and make 4 pillows out of each pair of scrubs.  I think even I could handle that sewing project-already has the side seams done!

[HisMom]

OK where do I find the instructions for mailing stuff?  I am going to try to tackle that tomorrow.  I printed the labels.  Need a customs sheet (where do I find that?)  and the Address for Dwyer.  Is it better to ship in one big box or smaller ones?

Liz