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)]

I forgot, but Sears will also ship to FPOs and APOs.  I got some flannel pants for SH last winter and they arrived safe and sound, just what I had ordered.  I was pretty pleased with how they handled the order and shipping process.

[Kim (Ethan's Mom)]

Donna, I can't remember if I asked you or not but Honeycrisp asked if we could get some pictures from them getting the apples. I think I mentioned it in my note that went with the box that had the caramel in it but if the apples get there first, they won't know to take some. If you email SH could you mention it? Thanks.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

I did send a note off to Rannie right away.  I will send her another today.  They can't take pics of patients though.  I know we got a couple of patients by the Christmas tree last year, but we really shouldn't have.  But I will ask her to get some pics, let her know about the box with the caramel in it and hope that she will get permission to take some for us.  Maybe they can use personnel??

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

If you haven't gone to the MAS page and read the comments -- GO AND DO IT.

I had a very interesting conversation with my son about one of his customers - who also happens to have been one of our special heroes and was on the receiving end of our missions!!  So excited.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

I'm still waiting to hear from Rannie.  I emailed her about what might be needed for our next mission.  Then I remembered that those items will arrive in December around Christmas time.

SO... I thought I'd ask for some input from all of you who help out with SH to see if you had any suggestions of something special we might consider doing.  I'm thinking maybe more of a morale booster.  Maybe a pancake breakfast, or some sort of special breakfast for Christmas morning.  Or maybe getting some stockings (not too big) that we can stuff with items.

Any thoughts?  Anyone?

I don't know if MAS will be sending a Christmas tree, but we really supplied a lot of ornaments last year.  Hopefully they were packed away to be used by the next group.  I'll have to find that out too.

[MomByHeart]

Donna, I have a lot of blank xmas cards left from the Shoup adoption.  I could take them to Girl/Boy Scouts and get kids to write in them.  I don't want to overwhelm them since I know they have scaled back.  What would be an appropriate amount to send?

I like the idea of a pancake breakfast.  We have done that before and they seemed to enjoy it, if I recall correctly.  

I have had several people offer me used pillowcases to send.  I know we normally send new, homemade pc's, but do you think there is a need for plain old pc's to stay at the site?  I would check them over carefully and make sure that they are not worn, torn, stained, etc.  I just kind of gloss over these offers, but I really should have a firm response of "yes" or "no" when people offer.

Now that I am working again, I can start helping again.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Hi MomByHeart!  Nice to hear from you.  Sending the Christmas cards would be wonderful!!  They are caring for many more patients now, so from what I hear I would "guess-timate" 100 patients, easily.  Then they can always send some along to the Aid Station and still cover all the in-patients.

They haven't asked for sheets or pillowcases, lately.  But I know that it has been a real problem in the past.  If you don't mind going over them to be sure they are in good condition, I would say "yes" and take them.  A friend heard about the blanket need and she just shipped about 100 blankets for our special heroes.  We'll gladly take supplies that they need from any and all sources!  :)

I like the idea of a pancake breakfast too.  I'll have to mention that to our POC and see if they would be able to pull that off.  And, enjoy it.  When different units take over, just never know what the new CO is going to say.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

SPECIAL HUGS NOVEMBER/DECEMBER MISSION ~~~

Well, it is time to think about and get the mission going for our SH heroes.  Once again we will be sending them a Christmas tree.  They will need lights, ornaments and a star for their tree.  The American Navy presence at the CSH located within Camp Bastion has expanded greatly from the CRCC and WWU to include preventative medicine, a dental clinic among other things.  We will only be sending 1 Christmas tree & tree decorations, but if anyone would like to send other decorations I'm sure they will be put to good use.  Any Christmas treats will be a nice surprise for them.

And let's not forget cards, letters, notes & pictures - LOTS AND LOTS OF THOSE!!  Shipping can begin as soon as you are ready.  Please leave a message of what you are sending and the # of boxes so that I can let Rannie know what to expect and she'll have an idea when everything has arrived.

Thank you to all the Christmas elves who will help make our special heroes smile this Christmas!!  Hugs to all of you.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

@Kim F. - I got an email from Rannie that said pictures were attached - but there was no attachment.  I sent a message back, but haven't heard anything yet.  She did say that they were very, very busy.  So I guess we will have to wait.  I hope they will have time to put up a tree!

Oh, forget that - everyone finds time for a Christmas tree!!!  Hoping it will be a HUGE surprise for all their patients!

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Well ladies, the November adoption is done and on its way, but things are really quiet here in Special Hugs.  We need to get out heads together and do something quick.  If we don't they will have a Christmas tree and no decorations!  No treats!  Nothing to help brighten their Christmas day!

We've always pulled out all the stops for these wounded heroes ... please, let's get thinking and get going.  We don't want them to feel forgotten!

[Carol (jonsmom)]

I can do some ornaments and treats.  Let me know where to ship too and we can get some out first of the week.

Carol

[carols_kitchen]

Carol, are you on the MAS we ship love page?  If so, you may have to click on all discussions to find the Combat Hospital address, but it was about the 4th or 5th discussion down.  Otherwise, let me know, and I will send it to you on email thru here.