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)]

Hi Navymom3!!  No you don't need to.  If you have them & were planning to send snacks, then go ahead.  But if you have to go shopping, then I don't think you need to for this mission.  My thought is to hold onto the magazines.  I can check with the POC, but something keeps interrupting our ability to contact each other.  I'm guessing it is on his end.  When things happen, as we know, the military shuts down social networks & I think that is what is happening at the moment.

Hope that answers your questions.

[navymom3]

Donna I went to get the address and I see 3 of them. Is it the last address that I use? Just want to make sure I send my cases to the right place.

[lauren]

Goodmorning all. I know it has been awhile. @ Donna just want to let you know. My box will be stuffed with LOVE. I have a few snacks. But I've been gathering card do there will be lots of homemade. Love for them. Miss u talk soon

[Kathy (AOMom)]

Donna, are you out there???? I cannot seem to locate the addy for the special hugs project, my box is ready! LOL Let me know when you have a minute. Thanks Kathy

[MomByHeart]

Kathy, do you know where we normally keep the addresses? If so, go there and keep scrolling down, you will find it. I had the same problem last night and had to bug Donna about it.  When I went back and did what I was supposed to do, it magically appeared! =]

 

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Hi Kathy!  Sorry, I've been out of the house a lot over the last couple of days.  The SH addy and POC name is in the MAS We SHIP Love room.  When you get in there, you need to hit the "view all" to see all the discussions, then the SH discussion will show up.   The addy is there.  If you still don't see it give me a call or leave a message & I'll get it for you.  Talk to you real soon.  I miss the MA Moms.  It was so much fun seeing everyone!!

Take care.

[Kathy (AOMom)]

thanks Donna, got the address. Sending popcorn, pringles, boxes of movie candy, pudding cups, pretzels.

It was fun seeing everyone and some new faces too.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Yes, it was FUN.  Can't wait til we can get together again.  Trying to reach Johanna as she has some contacts we are hoping to use.  It's a little surprise, but I can tell you here.  It involves getting the use of a private room / box at Gillette for our next get-together.  Don't know if it'll be a packing party, or just a meet and greet.  Would be sooo much fun though, don't you think?

[MomByHeart]

My box went out today...popcorn, boxes of candy I found at Wal Mart last week for 85 cents/ea, red licorice, some DVD's, hard candy, a letter,  and two pillowcases I found at the bottom of my stash.  I think these are the two cases I was missing a couple months ago when I promised a certain number to another group and came up two short!   :D

[MomByHeart]

Hey Donna...Do you think we are going to need scrubs again?  Someone in my local paper has ladies' scrubs for sale. 

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Yes, I know that we will need scrubs again.  Usually we are looking for male scrub bottoms (w/tie strings, no elastic) for our patients.  But, as a currently out of work nurse, I did gather some of my favorite scrubs that I no longer wear and sent them to the female nurses.  They LOVED them.  Of course, the trauma/ED/OR nurses are stuck with the general hospital-blue or green ones, but the small number of nurses who work on the wards loved being able to wear some colors & prints.  I think they lift everyone's spirits - staff and patients alike.

Check them over to be sure they are gently used.  The areas where you likely will find wear -- the seam that goes between the legs and up the back of the pants (from all the bending), the knees (get more thread-bare), also across the back and arm seams.  The most common place for stains - besides the front of the tops (!!) is below the knees on pants.  Don't ask why, the answer isn't very nice.

Female patient #s are small.  We do have 2 at the CRCC currently.  Again, look for pants with ties, not elastic waists.

The reason for no elastic is simple.  Ties allow for easier access to patients' wounds for docs and nurses.  Elastic means the patient has to be able to pull them down (the staff wouldn't use them on a patient who couldn't help themselves in this way - it would take too much time & we all know about doctors and their time issues!!!  LOL)

Hope the info helps!

[carols_kitchen]

Finally got my box out today.  Been super busy with church and work.  Packed my  14 pillowcases and then some great food coop snacks that they specialize in--no room for movies by that time.  Once again, my flat rate box was bulging at the seams and over taped to keep everything in it.