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'm mailing mix, syrup, peanut butter, crushed pineapple and chocolate syrup this weekend. Maybe they can have an IHOP breakfast! I just wish I could send some whipped topping :)

[Kimmy P]

ohhhh that sounds good!!!

[lauren]

WOW TOOO COOL.....I'd love to see those t-shirts

to bad we can sell some of them ...might end up with another years shipping.....really though how cool of him to give that up for others...some people...

[Kimmy P]

Ladies, AWESOME news! I just got off the phone with Krusteaz and they are donating 2 cases of Buttermillk, 1 case of blueberry and 1 case of chocolate chip pancake mix for Dwyer!! A total of 48 boxes of pancake mix!! They said they shipped them to Molly, but I opened my front porch and there sat 4 cases of pancake mix!! Totally Amazing!!!! Whahoo!!!!!!! A breakfast fit for a Hero!

[YMM (Ship 12 Div 98)]

This morning my husband and I mailed five large boxes of pancake mix and three large bottles of syrup to Dwyer. It felt good to do a little something for our military men and women. Thank you to all of you who set all of this up and for  getting the information out to the rest of us.

[YMM (Ship 12 Div 98)]

In our rush to make it to the post office before it closed at 10:00 this morning, I forgot to put the Special Hugs label on the package. Will that be a problems?

[Kimmy P]

No problem...sometimes that happens. :-)  They're going to LOVE the support you send. Thank you for being a part of this. And this couldn't happen without people like you!!!

If you don't mind can you give me a count of boxes you shipped. I have the count of the number of boxes of pancake mix and syrup you sent. This way I can give our POC a heads up on how many boxes are comimg from Special Hugs. Did you put a note or letter inside the packages? If not, I'll ask our POC to keep a look out for boxes without Special Hugs labels.

Thank you YMM!!! HUGS!!!!!!

[Kathie-Illinois]

Kimmy, I'm sorry I haven't written sooner, I mailed a box 4 days ago to Dwyer. Pancake mix, syrup and other breakfast items. I did put a label on it.

Kathie

[Kimmy P]

Thank you, Kathie!!!! That makes my heart happy!!!

[Kimmy P]

Kathie, can you give me a count of how many boxes of pancake mix and bottles of syrup you sent?

[Kim (Ethan's Mom)]

I mailed 2 boxes today. A 10# bag of Krusteau mix and 2 small boxes, one being blueberry mix. 2 jugs of Mrs Butterworths syrup, 1 bottle of blueberry syrup, one bottle of strawberry syrup and 1 bottle of chocolate syrup. 2 jars of peanut butter and  a can of crushed pineapple. The lady at the post office couldn't believe that 2 boxes weighed a total of 38 pounds! lol

[Kimmy P]

Wow!!! Thank you!!! Ladies, you are the best. You have a heart of gold!!! <3

 

 All this talk about pancakes is making me huuuungry!