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)]

Yes, that is what you said ... is it right??

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

OK, I'm going to do 2 medium size boxes - one for each.  I'll work at finding toppings for their oatmeal.  I have 4 puzzle books - Word Search and Sudoku.  I don't know if I can find any DVDs or games.  Depends on how much my knee can handle shopping.  We've got a storm coming and I think my knees are turning into weather indicators!!

[Lorraine]

I can send a small box with some instant oatmeal, two 1 lb boxes of brown sugar, and some game books. What is the ship date?

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Thanks Lorraine!  We are really going to keep them warm and their minds occupied for certain with this mission.

The shipping starts on Monday, 2/4.  Hopefully everyone can get their items out by Thursday, but we all know that that date is not set in cement!  lol

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

I'm really looking forward to the reaction from POC John.  I don't think we will overwhelm him, but I do think that we will surprise him.  :)

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Last night I received the following message from our new POC John.  Obviously, he now really gets what SH is all about ... he's met and talked to staff/patients at SHUK and he has a much better picture of what we do!  Enjoy the note.

Donna,

Hello!  Thank you so much for the email.  I apologize about not getting back to you sooner.  I was flying around the AO to get some situational awareness with where my crews are at regarding our mission set. We truly appreciate the love and support that you and the moms are providing to our Marines and Sailors out here in Afghanistan! You should see the eyes light up when packages come in! It really hits home and lets us know that we are thought about and cared for by some wonderful and outstanding moms out there!

Some items that are being sought after are canned foods -- specifically fruits and vegetables.  Canned peas are being sought after.  There have been some requests for tuna fish and canned chicken.

These food items have been requested at COP Shukvani (SHUK).  My Chief and I visited our crew there and they are performing quite well.  The chow hall is a field mess hall with some Marines and personnel from the country of Georgia working there.  The food was decent for what it was.  The surgical crew did put on a nice "home cooked" meal for us as they cooked some pasta mixed with summer sausage.  They turned it into a nice home away from home meal.  They were able to prepare this meal because of the love and support they receive from moms like you all that sent them care packages during the deployment.

Thank you again for all of your support and dedication.  You have a truly amazing organization that is doing some truly amazing things for our brothers and sisters out here.  Donna, you moms are a God send and we are very thankful to have Patriots like yourselves supporting us.

Will write again soon and God Bless!

Sincerely,

John

[Lorraine]

This is great! So when can we start sending the food items he mentions?

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Personally, I wanted to go out and get some things today.  That said I haven't chatted with John to find out his thoughts on our next mission.  We try to alternate between the 2 FOBs and the CRCC.

What does everyone think?  Do just SHUK as Feb's mission?

Kim??  MoM for February, would you like us to hold off until the middle of the month like we usually do?

Usually a mission wouldn't be announced until around 2/15 to keep from interfering with the adoption of the month.

I will send an email to John this afternoon and get some thoughts from him.

[Kim (Ethan's Mom)]

Just makes me tear up! We do make a difference ladies! How blessed I am that I get to be a pert of this wonderful organization!

[carols_kitchen]

We got a thank you from Special Hugs!  The pumpkin bread he refers to was baked in small wide mouth mason jars.

Mrs. Pigg,

 

Ma’am, thank you so much for the thoughtful package that you sent.  I received your care package today and shared the thoughtful contents with our enlisted Sailors!  They were very pleased with the assortment of teas and oatmeal as they are trying to watch their weight.  The jeopardy game is a huge hit!  The Marines and Sailors are having a grand time trying to out think each other!   I think there was a slight scuffle after personnel found out about the pumpkin bread! J   

 

It is AWESOME that your son is serving with the finest fighting force the world has ever known!  I bet you are very proud of him and his contributions in keeping our families and loved ones back at home safe and sound!  I can honestly tell you that I am very grateful for the young men and women who decide to serve our country in times like these.  It shows us how much conviction he has regarding doing the right thing as a nation under God!  

 

A little bit about us; We are a crew of Navy personnel attached to a Marine Corps unit.  We are comprised of Doctors, Nurses, Physician Assistants, Healthcare Administrators, Marines and the backbone of navy medicine, the Hospital Corpsman.   I am very pleased and proud to say that they are performing magnificently here in the combat theater.  Our role and responsibilities are to provide emergency medical and resuscitative surgery to our wounded brothers and sisters here in Afghanistan. 

 

Ma’am, the assortment of contents that you have provided through the goodness of your heart is very much appreciated!  I can truly tell you how much it means to the men and women when care packages arrive for them coming from thoughtful and caring moms like you back in the states.  It lets us know how much you appreciate our sacrifices away from our family and loved ones back at home.  I just wanted to say thank you for taking the time to think about us while we are serving our country away from home.   I wish your son the very best during his deployment.  I just want to say thank you again to you truly patriotic moms out there that continue to love and support all of us military members during our deployments.  Take care and God bless!!

 

Sincerely,

 

John

 

LT John XXXXXXXX MSC, USN

Platoon Commander

Surgical Platoon

CLC, CLR-2

[Lorraine]

I received a similar thank you in which POC John took the time to mention specific items I had sent. It sure is good to hear from them and know our packages were a blessing.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

SPECIAL HUGS MISSION

February 2013

 

For February's Mission we will be taking the suggestions in POC John's wonderful note to us and send SHUK some healthy love & likely some fun as well!

SHUK has requested canned foods -- specifically fruits and vegetables.  The most asked for vegetable = peas!  But, let's look to send them a variety of vegetables remembering that fruits and vegetables come in all colors and all colors are good for you.  Canned products are a scarce commodity apparently, but we can fix that!

They also requested tuna fish and canned chicken.

POC John talked about a "home cooked" meal with summer sausage & noodles used from someone's care package.  Perhaps we can find some different meats that are preserved and will travel well.

Can we make it a goal that between all of our "finds & bargains" we could send the fixings for 4 "home cooked" meals -- one per week?  Something to look forward to and enjoy.

 

On a side note:  there are 2 holidays coming in March:  St. Patrick's Day on March 17 and Easter on March 31.  I have some green beads, stickers & dk. and light green bouncing balls.  Just something to consider and can be discussed on the  SH discussion site.  There may be a way to work something into the mission with that in mind ... Moms always have great ideas and Food plus Fun is our specialty!!

Shipping will be March 1-6th.