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 think you covered every thing that I can think of. I probably have been quilty of over doing thnigs sometimes.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

We probably all have done that Kim!!  Our mother hearts just run away with us.

[Laura]

Looks perfect.  You covered all of the bases.  I don't think that you even need the statement about being bossy or controlling.  Everything sounded fine.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

PS  I will do my best to get the announcement up this week-end.  (It will be after the Massachusetts Moms' packing party for certain!)  My goal is no later than Sunday afternoon - EST.  It will be in a comment first; and then, when Diane gets the opportunity she will put everything up in the above discussion.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

We are proud to announce a new POC and two new hospitals, plus a specialty unit to support!!  Both hospitals are Role 2.  The specialty unit is called the CRCC, (Concussion Recovery Care Center).

Our New Mission … if you choose to accept it, is:

We will be sending a morale booster, & introduce ourselves, to all 3 facilities.                 They would like a “Movie Night.”

The Role 2 hospitals are SHUK (43) & PYN (35) and the CRCC is LNK (26).            (Numbers are in the parentheses)

Please send any of the following that you are able to:

 

• New or recently released DVD movies, still packaged. (Only mild violence and no nudity are requested!  Emphasis comes from our POC.)
• Movie snack food items & candy.  Popcorn (microwaveable), of course; any individually wrapped candy you would find at a theatre; and, they did request nut snacks (i.e. almonds, cashews, pistachios, spicy trail mix, etc.)  [Remember if you send nut snacks they need to go in their own box and labeled as containing nuts. We don’t want any allergic reactions!]
• Drink mixes to add to water. (They have limited beverage options.)
• *****  Cards, letters, postcards, etc.  In other words, don’t forget to include some encouraging MAIL.  Remember these are new contacts & don’t know anything about MAS / SH Project!

A proper discussion will be posted later!  Contact name, address & some special instructions, for this time only, will be posted where we put such private information.

Plan to ship between Sept. 6-11^th.  And don’t forget to put a Special Hugs shipping label on your packages! You can ship priority, parcel post, whatever is most affordable to you.  If you are sending mail only, you can use one of the heavy envelopes the USPS has available.

Let Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna) know if you have any questions! [e-mail]

 

And, now, as our new POC emailed, “Let’s have a party!”

[Kim (Ethan's Mom)]

Sounds like a great way for them to get to know us Mom's! I just recently bought The Lorax for Addie and it had the Blue Ray and DVD seperately. I will sent the DVD. I know it's a cartoon but it's a feel good movie also. I'll see what else I can find. Count me in on this one!

[Molly Molly Fo Folly]

Donna do you want this on the top ---tell ya what call me tonight after your party and we will discuss the Case's and where you want this post !!   Kimmy Loo-Who did you normally post up top or did Diane ??  I want to say because Diane owns the room she did ---but ?????  lol way out of my scope BUT I can try anything :)   Diane is away but i think will be back monday ---- Im so happy that this has come together --- this should be amazing ( oh btw Raq from CC FB has shirts she has been holding for the CSH )  Donna I will have to introduce you if you dont know Raq ---- she was a CSH Amry Nurse herself and now works with and for West Point !!!    Love ya and party on 

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Yes, Diane posts the info at the top.  She will do that this coming week.  I just have to send her the copy which I will do today.

[Kimmy P]

Hey girl! Kimmy Loo here! Yes, you are correct. Diane would post the mission at the top of the discussion each month. I would send it to Diane and she would post it. I'm sure Diane will post it as soon as she returns. :-)

 

 

Miss Donna,

You're doing a FABULOUS job!  I know how hard you have worked to get SH a new POC. It hasn't been easy, but you ROCK sista!! You did it!

 

[MomByHeart]

Donna, I may have asked this already, but do you think t-shirts will be needed? I have about 3 large shipping boxes that have been waiting to go and are gathering dust. 

Are we supposed to let you know before we ship and to which hospital so you will have a count? 

Last question (for tonight!). I am also wondering if the dvds must be unopened. I have a source for used dvd's that I can purchase a few at a time, but of course being used, they are all opened.

Thanks!  Hope your packing party went well! 

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

We will be sending t-shirts and boxers again - just not this time.

This mission will go to all three facilities, but after that it will be in a rotation which I'm in contact with our POC about.  The POC is the same for all 3, so all boxes will go to him.  He will open the boxes to be sure enough is sent to each facility which I appreciate since each facility has varying numbers.  He has been so helpful I don't want to overload him by shipping other than what he is expecting.

The DVDs can be used - opened.  Just in their cases.  It boils down to accepting licensed DVDs vs. pirated ones.  I know we wouldn't send a pirated movie, but it is a general rule for anyone sending movies to the troops.

Just remember the request for only mild violence and NO nudity.  I know it likely limits what we can send because of what is out there, but if we keep in mind the audience -- fresh from the line of fire & injured too -- plus that there is the possibility of female patients and certainly female staff, the no nudity makes sense too.

[Pat L. in IL]

Donna, I have about 450 DVD's here. They were donated to us from Operation Support Our Troops. Do you think that the fact that they are open is an issue with the POC?