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 I can arrange to get at least one box out of the toiletries. Is there any specifics on the razors? extra cartridges? would they rather have disposable? Will they be traveling with the heroes or staying at the MTF? I'm only asking because if they are staying then I would send several extra cartridges.

[DramaSoul]

Diane...hope to be able to participate at least with one or two boxes.  I am busy with Jewish Holy days and my son's graduation from Camp P FMTB.

Shower shoes sizes? And I won't send toothpaste!!! Are there females in need of these things or just males?

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Enjoy your son's graduation!!

Also, have a blessed celebration of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.  (I hope that is the correct way to say it.  I realize they are Holy Days, so I didn't think to say "Happy..." was appropriate.)  Please correct me if I said it incorrectly (seriously!  I wouldn't want to be offensive to you or anyone else & this is the only way to find out.)  Thanks my friend!  :)

[DramaSoul]

Thanks, Donna, that is the correct way to say it! It is a time of reflection and evaluation so 'happy' isn't really used.  We say to each other to have a sweet new year (Rosh Hashana means New Year) and and easy fast (for Yom Kippur which means Day of Atonement when we pray and fast from sundown the night before until sundown the next day).  You are not offensive at all!!! 

On the razors, my son found that the fewer the blades, the less it bothered him because he has to shave every day.  I am wondering if it's better to get just single or double bladed razors?

[Gulf Coast Mom]

Yeah!! I bought a bunch of flip flops last month.  Now I can get the ready to mail off.  I also have some body wash - regular size bottles, I think about 10.  Will double check and post how many pairs of flip flops and bottles of body wash.  Please help me with a shaving cream question - what kind do we need to send?? I have not sent any b/c I thought you couldn't send anything pressurized thru USPS.  Will be glad to send but just need to know what to buy.  Thanks.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

As of right now, all the patients staying on the wards are males.  I don't know about the razors.  Being a nurse, I would think they would stay with the person -- the possibility of blood on a razor and transferring it to another person -- but I will ask.

No sizes were given re: shower shoes (flip flops), I would suggest a variety of male sizes - M, L, XL.

As for shaving cream, there are a few brands that come in cream form.  The only one I can think of at the moment is the one my guys occasionally get is Axe.  It costs a bit more, but perhaps you could find a store brand next to it.  I have to do a couple of errands so I will check out what I can find and let you know.  I have to go into Target and a CVS, maybe I'll just check out the Walgreen's just down the street also.  I'll get back to you Gulf Coast.

[Kim (Ethan's Mom)]

Makes perfect sense about the razors. I'll get extra cartridges for the razors I get. If my memory serves me correctly they asked for us to not send disposable before so I will get the good ones. I'll let you know how many I get. I do have access to some 'slightly used' bath towels and some brand new WHITE ones. Would any of those work?

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

I'm glad you remembered about the razors!  I had completely forgotten that...

Yes, to the bath towels - the 'slightly used' and new white ones.  That is a great idea.  I have some towels and washcloths that lost their matching pairs!  The ones I had in my son's bathroom.  How does a guy lose one towel and one washcloth??  I'm guessing he took them someplace and forgot to bring them home.  Still??  What was he thinking ... LOL

[carols_kitchen]

The best razors as you can afford---their skin may already be scruffed up from injuries. 

I have found several brands of shaving gel in a tube.  It's usually on the very top shelf.

[Gulf Coast Mom]

Thanks Donna.  I love my Walgreens - I have several close by.  I check out their clearance shelves every chance I get.  The body wash I got recently was one of my best deals.  It was the "gift pack" of Axe products.  The label said it was $15.99 worth of products for $9.99, but they were on the clearance rack for $2.99 - less than the cost of one bottle on the regular shelf.  I bought all 6 of them.  I then went to several other stores, but their's were not marked down.  I asked about it but they told me they take the ones that don't sell out of the sets and put on the shelf as the individual item :(.  Anyway, I find lots of bargains at Walgreens.  Big Lots recently had the boxes of 24 travel size Colgate toothpaste for $5.00, so I bought two of those. Will start getting my boxes together.

[carols_kitchen]

Oh, I almost forgot.  If you purchase at Walgreens, be sure you have signed up for their rewards card.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

An answer from our POC regarding razors and shaving cream ...

Razors:  We use disposable. Any will certainly be appreciated.  Preferred are the Schick Slim Twin and Schick Extreme (same of both for females) and Gillette Sensor and Gillette Mach (Gillette Venus for the females).  Hot water is a luxury here and these have worked the best under those conditions. {emphasis, added by me!}  I don’t have any idea on the shipping of the shaving cream.  We get mostly the gel type in the exchange when they have it but have gotten all types mailed out to folks here at some point.

Thanks for all the assistance.

YUCK.  Cold water for shaving!!  Not my idea of a pleasant grooming task  :(