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]

Last month Special Hugs did some serious couponing on Gillette Fusion Razors for our wounded heroes. I received a letter from the Postal Service saying, “An empty wrapper with your address was found in the mail and it is believed to have been separated from the parcel during handling.”  UGH!!! Another words...they don't know were the contents of our box is! This was the box the Fusion Razors were shipped in. So, I’ve done all the necessary paperwork and went back to Wal-Mart to take pictures to send with our claim to give them a better “exact” description to help locate our items.  It will most likely take 5-6 weeks for them to complete their search.  There is no guarantee that they will find our items…but sending the pictures will help them be more exact when looking. In the meantime our heroes don’t have the razors they need…SO this week I have been coupon and getting “great” deals on razors.

So, I purchased:

9 Gillette Fusion razors

18 Schick Hydro 3 razors

24 Schick Hydro 3 refills

4 Suave female Body wash

6 Gillette Body wash

 For a GRAND TOTAL of $21.12

 

The Body wash isn’t included in the photo.

 

BOY did I hit the jackpot with the Schick Razors and refills!!!!!  I had an advertisement for a store that isn’t in my area….it was sent in my newspaper by mistake. LUCKY ME!!!  The Schick Hydro 3 Razors and Refills were on sale for .98!!! I went to Wal-Mart (they price match) and guess what???!!! They had $2.00 off coupons on each package of Hydro 3 razors and Refills!!! So I used one coupon for every 2 razors and refills and got them for free (plus tax)! I cleaned out my Wal-Mart and went to another Wal-Mart…they had the razors and refills but no coupons. That’s okay because I still had the coupons from 15 other razors and refills from the first Wal-Mart and a few from the newspaper. So, I cleaned out that Wal-Mart too!!!  I ended up with the Suave body wash because I had more coupons than razors. So, I used one coupon for each Razor and the extra $1.02 went towards the body wash.

I also went to Walgreens for the Fusion Razors…I had RR and I had $4.00 off coupons. So, they cost about $2.20 each and the Gillette Body wash was FREE with the coupons and RR!!!

 

I did go to another Wal-Mart 20 minutes north of me and they wouldn’t honor the sale flyer as the store was having a “close out” sale. BOO! Since the sale ended yesterday I ran out of time to try another Wal-Mart 35 minutes north of me.  Not bad for a day’s worth of work, huh?!

 

[Kimmy P]

Also in the box there was Female body wash and baby wipes...I don't remember all the brands of the body wash (I had several) that was in that particular box. I sent female body wash in two boxes. I only remember Nivea Body wash in the lost box...so I sent pictures of the Nivea Body wash and baby wipes with our claim. So, I'll be sending a few extra bottles of female body wash in my boxes. :-)

[carols_kitchen]

Wow!  You are becoming your own Special Hugs Coupon Shopping Show on the MAS channel. More than ever I'm glad I take pix of what I send for my records.

[Kimmy P]

Carol,

I will now ALWAYS take pictures of the contents of the boxes I send! I learned my lesson the hard way!

[D~W~G]

Why do you say this Kimmy. I did take pictures of my boxes but did not post here. I can but how do the pictures help you out? 

So you mean that they look thru the boxes and match up the pictures from our site? 

[D~W~G]

[Kimmy P]

The pictures I take are for my records...just in case the box falls apart during transit to the FPO AE address...It will help me remember what's in the box to fill out my claim for the post office. Since, the contents of a box with razors I shipped to the hospital was damaged and didn't make it to the hospital...the Postal Service found my box empty and wants to know what was in it and how many of each item so they can try and locate the items. The pictures will help me remember what I put in each box. I can send the pictures of the lost items with my claim to the Postal Service. This way they know exactly what to look for when they're looking for my items. I don't put the pictures with the box when I ship it....I only send them to the Postal Sevice if a box is lost to help them know what to look for.  

[Kimmy P]

By the way I LOVE the pillows and other goodies you're sending!!! Feel free to share pictures with us anytime! We love to see what everyone is sending. :-)

 

[D~W~G]

ahhhh I see, should I check to see if these made it and perhaps may have met the same fate? That is too bad. So they will replace all for you? 

 

[Kimmy P]

I received a letter from the Postal Service to let me know that they found my empty box. I guess if there's no news it's good news!! I think if you haven't heard from the Postal Service all is well. :-)

They will not replace the items because I didn't insure the box. But they will try to look for them. They have a Loose Mail Center were any items seperated from boxes are shipped to. They will look at the Loose Mail Center for my items...that's how the photos will be helpful. This way they know exactly what to look for....they will have photos to compare to the missing items. :-)  

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Kimmy - can we "dumpster-dive" in their Loose Mail Center??  Sorry, I couldn't resist.  After being told that the supermarket throws away new, but unsold cards into a special dumpster, I have dumpsters on my mind!!  LOL

Soon we will be having Dumpster-diving Parties and then go right to Packing Parties!  All we need is to find more companies who throw new, usable items away...

It is hot and I think my brain needs fluids...

[Kim (Ethan's Mom)]

Great work on replacing but what a loss until they are all found. I never even thought to take pictures of stuff. I always write both addresses on the box as well as the customs form. I may start writing it in the inside of the box as well!