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)  

[Pat L. in IL]

YIPPEEEEEE!!!!! I can ship some of the supplies from Kim. Have flip-flops, boxers, flannel pants. Will let you know numbers!!

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Hooray Pat!!  I was going to contact you and see what you have of Kimmy's supplies that might fit this mission.  Now I don't have to, but I might just call anyway...  <3

[MomByHeart]

I will have 6 body washes and will see what I can find at the Salvation Army when I go out of town Nov. 1.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

NEWS FROM OUR POC RON:

Donna,

Sorry for not replying but I have been out and about the AO (Area of Operations).  

I have gotten the boxes destined for PYN with bath/shower items.  Please let Kim F. know that she gets the prize for best packaging and comic relief.  We all got a kick out of the vacuum sealed products inside the boxes and a few of the younger folks had never seen over $31 in actual stamps before.

Feel free to use HM2 Hxxxxx's address to send items to SHK.  They will not get there all at once and usually after they would get there if shipped to me but I will remove myself from the middle.  {More about this further down}  

The pillow cases were a big hit.  We do need a few more if 20-25 is considered a few.  If possible to get some more sports themed ones that would be great but we will take what we can get.

I enjoy seeing the packages and sending all on to the folks in the less desirable places.  They only get mail 2-3X/month, don’t have an exchange, have to share showers, etc… so more for them is my concern.

I depart in January and the reason for my travel recently is that our replacements have a few folks out here doing a pre-deployment site survey.  I will forward the ‘new me’ POC info in early January but we have already discussed the program and he is looking forward to continuing.

Thanks again for all the love.

R

 

Hi Donna,

We just sent about 9500 cups worth of Keurig coffee to SHK,  but they are low on standard 12-cup basket filters and ground coffee (both decaf and regular).  Preferred is a mild/breakfast blend and a stronger brew.  Nothing flavored.  This is the coffee they are requesting.

R

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

So, we got answers to several things we were wondering.  I will have Kimmy fix the POC contact info & mailing addy for SHUK in MAS We Ship Love.  Ron may have a nurse contact in the coming weeks for the CRCC for when he leaves, but for now packages for CRCC and PYN will continue to go to him.

We know what kind of coffee makers SHUK has - regular 12-cup basket filtered & they'd like a mild b'fast blend and something stronger for other times but no flavored coffees.

And, for everyone -- the best news of all -- the knowledge that Ron's replacement is interested in continuing on with us!!  No spending the better part of a year getting a POC!  WooYahh.

PS:  Does anyone have sports-themed PCs we could send them?  If not, I have some "regular" male ones I can send.  I'm not sure how we ended up being short, probably change over of patients and of course the huge increase in size of the CRCC.  Let me know about the PCs, otherwise I will plan to send some of mine.  I will count them later and let everyone know if I have enough.

[Kim (Ethan's Mom)]

Yes! I have several PCs made up that I can send! I have NFL, NBA and MLB teams as well as some college teams. I'll see if anyone else has some they can send.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Thanks Kim!  Let me know what you come up with and I'll fill in the rest of the requested PCs with some from the sewing event.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Another thank you note for the movie night and PCs.  This time from our CRCC.

 

Donna,

Thank you so much for the amazing care packages!  The Extended Care Ward and
Wounded Warrior Berthing truly appreciate these packages!  Our patients really
loved them!  I will definitely let you know you know if we need any items!

 
Thank you again for all that you and Special Hugs do for our deployed
sailors, marines, and soldiers!

LT Kxxxxx

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

(Not certain, but I think POC Ron is preparing her to be our POC for the CRCC after he comes home!  I am just so happy that he is paving the way for us with the new command coming in.  :)  )

[Kim (Ethan's Mom)]

I'll get something together but I'm will have to go shopping first.

[Katze90210 (3/113)]

Please include me in the next month request. I missed this one and would have loved to ship clothes. 

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Since the CRCC has expanded and has so many more patients than when we started, I told our POC we likely couldn't send enough for everyone in one month, but that we would take care of all of them as we could.  So if you want to send clothing to the the patients at the CRCC, whenever will be fine.  Just address them to our POC Ron and mark the packages for CRCC.  Please don't forget the SH shipping labels - it'll make them stand out and the staff will know to take them right to him.