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)]

These women are going to be sooo excited!!  Can't wait to hear back from someone, hope we do!

My box goes tomorrow.  Today has been just crazy.

[MichianaMom]

I sent one box out today. . .finally got it out the door!

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Thank you very much!  Your first mission to our special heroes completed.  This has been a fun mission to just be thinking about the women.  :)

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Thanks to everyone for a mission completed and a job well done!!  "Our girls" are going to be surprised and hopefully enjoy receiving some girlie items.  BZ mommas!!

 

Because of needing to combine July & August's missions, the next mission will be announced in September.  I don't want to give it away or interfere with the September adoption which will be announced soon.  BUT...

with items on sale for the back to college/school crowd, there are a couple items we will be needing for SH that perhaps we can find some deals on now.  Pillows and blankets.  Blankets will need to be twin bed size, or extra long twin (if you should come across them).  Pillows will be used first, blankets probably not until October.

I have "heard" that you can shrink pillows into garbage bags by wrapping the bag tightly around the vacuum nozzle & pulling the air out.  That will make them smaller to ship and we won't need to buy those special storage bags which are costly.  We may all need to try to experiment with this, but if we can make it work it will be a bonus.

[Denise (Dee)]

Hi Donna - I sent 3 boxes - 2 boxes of girly stuff (shampoos, conditioner, razors, flip flops, toothpaste, cleansing wipes, lip gloss, brushes, hair bands, etc.) and 1 box of snacks (trail mix, gum, popcorn, cheex-its, fritos, etc.)

 

Staples if having there "back-to-school" sale, picked up some notebooks this morning ($.50/ea). Have to go back tomorrow and look again for anything else to add to my supply closet.

 

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

September's mission has been announced.  It is in the discussion at the top of the page.  Thank you Diane for putting it up for me!!  I really appreciate you taking care of that for us.

Our POC, Rannie, told me that they are in desperate need of some pillows for the patients.  They also need some blankets for the patients' beds - twin size or if you can find them, twin size, extra long blankets.  They still have PCs for the female patients when they leave, but they are out of PCs for the men.  I'm guessing they could use about 25-50.

Since we are going to be tucking them into bed with new pillows and blankets.  We will also add 1 or 2 newly released movies and snacks/candy that you can get at a movie theatre.  So we will be warming their bodies and hopefully their spirits as well!!

When you decide what you are going to be able to do, please let me know here in our discussion so that I can let Rannie know how many boxes and what to expect.  As always, don't forget to include get well cards, notes and pictures from some children.

This should be a lot of fun for them.  It will also be time for Halloween cards and/or candy!  Just something to think about.

[carols_kitchen]

I've got some guys pillowcases.  Can send up to 20--just let me know.  Don't want to take away from anyone else who has hoped to send them.  I've also got a coupon to Penny's, so will look for a blanket, too.  Can I include mens' boxer shorts at this time--think a dozen were donated to me from TJ Maxx manager.  Can they use socks--have more still coming in---we hit over 600 pair, and I'm out of space!  They are just white ones. 

Hugs everyone--SPECIAL HUGS!

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

I think it would be great to add some boxers and socks.  Seems like those are staples for our wounded.  I'll try to keep track of when we've sent panties for the women.  There's not as many of them, so we likely won't need to worry for 3-4 months.  I'll ask Rannie that too.  Gonna send her a message at 3 EST and maybe I'll get a quick response too!

[Kim (Ethan's Mom)]

I'll send a couple pillows and at least one blanket. I'm looking for the XL ones. I'll also send some snacks.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Kim, will you be keeping track of the number of PCs?  I know both groups are getting them, so if it is easier, we can keep track of SH's PCs here.  Would that be less confusing, or would it make more work for you?  Just let me know.

[Kim (Ethan's Mom)]

I will be keeping track of the pillowcases. I can post updates on both threads.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

OK, thank you!