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)  

[MomByHeart]

My box is packed and ready to go tomorrow.  I have 12 body washes and two pair of flip flops.  I am using the address for LCDR Ron .... that's the right one, right?

[Kim (Ethan's Mom)]

I hope it's the right address because that's the one I used :)

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

So sorry for being without a computer - mine is not a fancy laptop that goes everywhere, so there was no way to take it to NYC.  Sorry for any confusion.

The addy for LCDR Ron in the SH discussion on the other site is the correct one.  Diane fixed it so it appears at the top.

I'm still "recovering" from the high of NYC and everything.  Will be posting next mission in a week or so.  I haven't heard from our POC in almost 2 weeks so he is likely traveling and visiting the facilities.  I asked him to let us know the response from the movie night as well as the bath/bathing items.  But that was right after everything that happened in Libya & the attack on Leatherneck.  I'm hoping we hear something soon. If I don't hear from him by Friday, I'll write again.  I just don't want to be a bother (even tho we are chomping at the bit for some word!!!  :) )

[Kim (Ethan's Mom)]

I received a wonderful email today. It is never expected but always great to hear from them! Here is a portion of it.

 

We’re a small Navy Role 2 facility that provides superior medical care to wounded service members, our staff is comprised of mainly Naval Medical Providers, Hospital Corpsmen and a few Marines. If you’ve seen M.A.S.H. that’s us in real life!

Several weeks back I was contacted by one of the coordinators with the Adopt-A-Sailor program and quickly became the main point of contact for our C.O.P. Today being our Great Navy’s 237^th birthday we also received some amazing surprise gifts. Those gifts being care packages from incredible organization you’re a part of. From the pillow cases, movie night kits, tasty Halloween treats and even small dental hygiene kits, it made for a VERY Happy Birthday for the Sailors that proudly serve in this STP/FRSS. Not only did we celebrate our great naval tradition today but we were able to have some of the great comforts from home. We were all very happy to know that a special group of people out there cares enough to band together and show us that even out in the middle of the desert we’re appreciated and remembered, the timing couldn’t have been better either

Again, I’d like to give you my complete appreciation on behalf of all of the Sailors and Marines at our C.O.P., we are forever grateful.

[DramaSoul]

Thanks sooo much for sharing.  When he mentioned 'dental hygiene' kits, it warmed my heart!  I packed those in amongst all the candy and movies.  There is absolutely NOTHING like helping someone else.  Thanks again for sharing this. 

[Pat L. in IL]

Thanks for sharing, Kim! Love to read those letters and usually shed a couple of tears.

[DramaSoul]

I also received a lovely email from an HM2 that said basically the same thing Kim's did.  It was the first email I have ever received from my first SH project and if I weren't wearing a walking boot I would've been doing a happy dance all over the house.  Of course I sat here with tears rolling down my cheeks.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

I also received 2 emails from an HM2 - one addressed to me and the other to "Special Hugs Moms".  The content was similar to what Kim and DramaSoul shared.  I wondered if we would hear from the individual facilities, now we know the answer to that!!  It made me cry too.  It must be hard to be a small unit, they just don't receive as much as the bigger "more famous" facilities

POC Ron told me that about 8 of the expected boxes didn't arrive.  I told him if there was enough to go ahead without them and send out the movie night items; especially, since the bathing items will be arriving for PYN soon (if not already).  I've asked him to try and get a number of how many PCs were received and if there were enough.  He had told me the number of patients had dropped dramatically ... WooYah!!

Next mission will be announced later this week  :)

[MomByHeart]

Received basically the same letter. Isn't it awesome when they write back?

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Yes, it surely is awesome!!

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Just one word of caution regarding the addy given in the email.  I have sent an email to our POC Ron asking him if that is how he wants to proceed.  I haven't heard back from him yet.  We need to remember that we have 2 other facilities to support and between Ron and I we have set up a schedule.  Next up is both the CRCC and SHUK because their immediate requests are small and simple.

 

Also, yesterday I talked with Dr. Jim (our medical advisor).  He wanted you to know that he is very proud to be a small part of SH.  He said the Moms are amazing both in the adoptions and SH's missions.  SH is close to his heart because of his involvement in getting us hooked up with a POC and he sends his deep thanks for all that you do!

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

October's mission will be posted later.  I have to run right now - an appt. for physical therapy on my neck ... it is always something!  :)