SPECIAL HUGS ..... as of 2014

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Finally we are updating our Special Hugs page to reflect our last group of doctors, nurses, corpsmen and staff.  POC John is the one on the far right with the lid on. This update isn't fancy, but it will make it easier to post the monthly mission within the discussion at the top.

A new medical team arrived in January.  Our POC is Kristin, a nurse & the morale officer. Her addy will be posted in the usual place. This team will continue the work with those suffering from traumatic brain injury, serious surgical patients who cannot travel yet and the long term patients who live in the "Wounded Warrior" berthing area - most of them suffering from PTSD.

They arrived with the cold weather & reports are that the pillows and blankets recently sent were being put to great use. Everyone had what they needed. There were many extras so they sent them to several Aide Stations!

Each month Special Hugs (aka SH) will announce a new "Mission." Missions will consist of shipping only the items requested and the mission will change monthly.

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 is our gift to them. <3 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.

 

OUR APRIL MISSION (to arrive in May)

NO YOU ARE NOT SEEING DOUBLE!!

Our mission for April is much like March's mission!  But we had to expect that the mission would revolve around Memorial Day and what is commonly linked with Memorial Day are picnics or cook-outs.

So what they could use from us, are items such as paper products, picnic food (chips, pretzels, corn chips, cupcakes, candy, etc.)

We should probably consider some decorations as well!

Of course, we will need to send birthday cards!!  There are 4 birthdays in May. I'm still waiting to hear #'s of men or women celebrating their special days. 

Shipping can begin anytime during the first 2 weeks of April so that the items reach POC K. before Memorial Day.

Please let me know how many packages you will be sending and what you've included so we can try our best to get what they need.  I can then let Kristin know how many boxes are coming and she can plan accordingly.

So let the exchange of ideas begin!  And the planning start!!

PS:  You may have read my comment on the main page, but there are 4 mothers at the CSH presently.  I thought, if anyone was able or interested, they might want to send 4 Mother's Day cards to Kristin for distribution at the "Mother's Day Pancake Breakfast".  Cards can be put in one envelope and sent to Kristin.

We are not planning to help with the b'fast, but if you wish to contribute anything they can use some pancake mix and syrup.  AGAIN, we are not doing a mission for Mother's Day, it would interfere with the MAS adoption.  This is just an FYI.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Those are all great ideas Gulf Coast!  Let us know what you find out.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

I found out there are only 2 having b'days in March - both men.

Got the answer about the 2 cake mixes mixed together that you bake in mugs -- they don't have enough mugs!!  Can hardly believe that!  Hospital staff are ALWAYS drinking coffee - it is a staple of their diet!  :)

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Don't forget that the theme is a St. Patrick's Day Karaoke Party.  They have the karaoke machine.  But we should try to find them some Irish music.  And don't forget the decorations.  Think GREEN.  (It'll make spring come faster .... maybe?)

[Kim (Ethan's Mom)]

I found some garland and a few things to hang on the walls and I found a few leprechaun hats! I wonder if the cakes could be made in a to go coffee cup? I have the cups for when my kids want to take a cup of coffee with them and won't be returning with the travel mugs I have but I don't know that I want to have that cake mix just hanging around ;-)  I'll see about getting some mixed up and see if the cups will work.

[Whit and Stephen's Mom (Ann)]

Great idea Kim!  Let me know if that works out!

[Whit and Stephen's Mom (Ann)]

Donna,  Count me in for at least one box.  I have a family friend that is serving in the sandbox and will be mailing to him so I will include a box for Special Hugs.  Green decorations seems pretty easy but is there anything else you can use?  I will send birthday cards.  I used to work for American Greetings.  Maybe I can get them to donate old stock that gets tossed.  It's worth asking.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Great idea!!!  I asked the local Hallmark store for their old stock. They send it back to the district area and they are thrown away!!!  I couldn't believe it.  We could put them to such good use and they throw them out!!

I had thought we could send varieties of cards so they would have cards to send back to their family and friends at home.  Haven't given up yet - I'm going to track down the district manager some how!!

[carols_kitchen]

Donna, I'm off work Monday.  If weather allows, I'll see what I can put together.  No promises, just hopes.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Carol, or should I say CAROL!!  I just read your next few days.  How about you take it easy and be nice to yourself?!  But thank you for "hoping"!  Love you girl!!

[carols_kitchen]

I got one box, and hubby says if weather allows, we will be at the post office on Monday!  he loves moving things out 

[carols_kitchen]

We made it to the post office, and then a nice leisurely breakfast at Cracker Barrel, staring into the hypnotic fire! My customs says socks and crackers, but it's really girl scout cookies with a few pair of socks on top.  One Brownie girl did lots of drawings.

[2catsn2sailors]

Sorry, if I am posting twice, but I could not find my comment from last night. I was having internet issues, though. Anyway, I'll be shipping a box on Monday. I found some cool stuff at Dollar Tree and Target. At Dollar Tree I found a bag of green plastic soldiers (we all remember those) that I thought would make cute cake decorations. They don't show up in my attached pictures, though. I thought I'd include a few notebooks, too, for those who like to write. I have a box full from my kids' school days that are all new.