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)]

Just wait until November's adoption valeriejean! We are in need of MANY for that group!

 

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

I agree!  <3

 

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Thank you Valeriejean for the offer!  We got 15 sports-themed PCs and I'm adding 10 male ones.  November's MAS adoption is huge so why don't you save them for that group.  If you don't mind that is.  I just think they could use them more.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Just to let you all know, because the November Holiday adoption is so big, we are keeping SH small this month.  They are getting Christmas trees from MAS.  I talked to Ron about what they might need to decorate the trees and went to the Christmas Tree Shop and bought the needed lights, & a few ornaments.  We have several Christmas stores that are open just for the holidays, I'm going to try to get tree toppers and more ornaments donated.  That will leave us with sending Christmas snacks and treats.  Instead I thought we could send a card to every patients and staff person.  What do you think?  I'll get numbers later.  Let's get November's adoption taken care of as quick as we can and then go to SH.  I've got some family and friends trying to help me with both!  Nurses in the family to help with SH and others with the USS Blue Ridge.  I don't want you all overwhelmed by the sheer volume of things!!  Love you all lots.

[Kim (Ethan's Mom)]

Donna last year when I sent the Christmas tree to an Oklahoma kid in Astana I bid on a few lots of ornaments on eBay to send. They didn't arrive in time so I can send those if you would like me to? They are just assorted random hallmark ornaments that I won't use. They are lightweight and it isn't something that would need to be saved but something if someone wanted to take with them when they went home. Some are just cheesy ;)

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

That would be great!  SHUK and PYN only have room for a 4 ft. tree, so they won't need many to make it look nice.  The CRCC is located within Bastion so they have more room and are getting a 6 ft. tree so they will need more than the other 2.  I am going to send a tree to POC Ron - he leaves in January, but has been doing an amazing job locating and lining up POCs to take over for him when he goes home.  If you want to send him a few, just label them and send them with CRCC's to Leatherneck.

An opinion -- I think that is enough for our holiday mission, but what do you all think?  If we just send cards to everyone along with the goodies, tree and its fixings...

I'm just worried with so many on the USS Blue Ridge, I don't want this to be an overload.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Kim, I was thinking about our conversation tonight.  At the moment I have gathered just 5 ornaments for each group.  If you'd like to send maybe 10 or so to PYN and SHUK and then more to the CRCC at LNK (to POC Ron).  I have special addys for this mission so that no one but a senior officer will know about the trees or what is coming.  I will get those up this week-end if possible.  Going to talk to Molly first.

[Kim (Ethan's Mom)]

As soon as you are ready for me to ship, I will be ready! Just let me know!

 

[Katze90210 (3/113)]

I posted everything I'm going to send on the MAS site I hope you saw it. Let me know if you didn't.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

I saw that you are packing stockings for the Blue Ridge, is that what you mean?  Those should be shipped to the USS Blue Ridge which is the holiday adoption for Molly's.

I want to keep SH's mission small this month because there are so many sailors on the Blue Ridge to care for.

With everything you are going through in NJ, please, please do not feel like you need to do something for everything.  The adoptions are the major thing for MAS.  Special Hugs is a project w/in Molly's (as is We Stitch Love).

We can decide later if we can afford to do any more for the CSHs.  Right now they are each getting a live Christmas tree.  I've pickd up lights and some ornaments.  I plan to solicit more ornaments and hopefully tree toppers today.  Will let you all know what I've gathered.  Then we will send them holiday treats and candy (chocolate, especially, since it won't melt) and of course candy canes; and, drinks - flavored coffee, teas, and hot chocolate mixes.  I am hopeful we can send Christmas cards to everyone and of course children's pictures.  If we decide to send "a little something", we'll discuss it here later.  After everyone knows what they are able to do for the Blue Ridge.

Hope this makes sense.  If not, let me know -- I'm typing as fast as I can to get done so I can hit these stores when they open!!  LOL

[Lorraine]

I will add a box to SHUK with magazines and candy.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Thank you Lorraine!!  SHUK has a POC at the CSH who will accept this box.  He is listed in the We SHIP Love room.  It is one of the comments.  If everything in the box is for SHUK you can ship directly to him.  Everything else should be shipped to POC Ron.