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]

MichianaMom, Did you see the post about extending this adoption into Aug? Donna/NYPD will give us a shipping window so stay tuned!!!! LOL!!

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Normally, the SH mission is announced around the 15-17th of the month (the 3rd week) so as to not interfere with the monthly adoption which ships the end of the month.  Our mission is announced one month with shipping around the 1-4th days of the next month.  This is the first time we've extended a mission.

I want to see how the adoption is going before picking a shipping time frame.  If August's mission is slow for some reason, I don't want jump in on the Mom of the Month & pick a time that doesn't work.  Hope this makes sense to you.

Thank you for getting involved.  The more the merrier!!

Hugs,

Donna (NYPD)

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

I found some really cute tops that could be used for sleeping, or for day.  Some flip-flops, chocolate-filled cookies.  Lip gloss.  I'm going shopping this week-end for other items -- it is tax-free week-end for us here in MA, so I'll take advantage of it to look for some other items.  LOVE it when we have no sales tax!  Helps keep shoppers in MA instead of going to NH where they have no sales tax and no income tax!

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

I'm so excited.  I went to a women's night out at church last night.  We were just chatting about what's happening in our lives & what we are all up to.  And of course, for me that means SH missions and MAS adoptions!!  Jumping to end of story, they want to make SH a project for the group.  I'm really excited about their enthusiasm to help out.  Of course, it helped enormously that the leader is a new military momma herself.  Army, but we don't hold that against her.  Her son is currently in boot camp in GA.  Can't imagine how hot that must be.  And the bugs and snakes?  YUCK.

Well, have to get ready to go shopping.  Tax-free day here I come!

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

My shopping trip yielded a few pairs of cotton workout-type shorts (with draw strings, of course).  Couldn't get too many as the were really picked over.  Also some of the colors were truly ugly!!!  We want to make this young women feel like the wonderful young women we know they are.

And, I did get some really pretty cotton panties at Victoria's Secret.  Some with lace, others with little bows, but all pretty.  Hope they will enjoy seeing them in the box...

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

If your box(es) are ready to be shipped, feel free to go ahead and send them.  If you are like me, once they are ready I'm always anxious to get them on their way and out of the house.

Just 2 things!  First, just leave a comment here with how many boxes you are sending.  That way I can let our POC know the number of boxes she should expect to receive.

And, don't forget our new POC is Rannie.  Her full name and addy is in the usual "special" place where we keep addys or our contacts.  If you are new and don't know where that is, feel free to PM either Pat L. from IL or me and we will hook you  up.

Thanks to everone who is helping with the SH mission.  The girls are going to love the girly-type items we are sending!!  <3

[Kim (Ethan's Mom)]

Donna, I have one box with toiletries, panties, etc. I can make up a box with oatmeal and snacks if you think they might want them? I'll mail on Monday.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Snacks and oatmeal are always welcome items.  So feel free to send them.

[Kim (Ethan's Mom)]

I mailed the girly box yesterday and I will put the oatmeal and snacks in the mail today! So my total count will be 2.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

OK, I know some Moms are ready and headed to the post office to ship their boxes to SH.  So if you are ready, please go ahead and ship them to POC Rannie.

Please leave a comment so that I can let her know how many boxes she should expect.

@ Pat L., you have the scrub pants and PCs, right??

I will email Rannie and let her know that shipping has begun.  Can't wait to hear how this mission is received by the new crew and especially by the female patients!!

[Pat L. in IL]

Yes, 28 pillowcases and 25 scrub pants. Also another box filled with "girlie" stuff!! All being picked up by the post office from my house tomorrow!!

[Susan mom to Niko]

Donna I mailed one box yesterday to SH...  it was filled with soaps, lotions, hair ties, hair bands, brushes, combs, flip flops, emory boards, etc.