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.

[Denise (Dee)]

That's too bad, as I just cleaned out a cabinet full of miscellaneous mugs.

See what happens when I try to de-clutter my house!

[Gulf Coast Mom]

Not much luck researching the Bake a Wish cake idea.  I did look and it looks like it is about $50. to ship a cake.  I would be willing to pick a month and pay to have a cake shipped if we decide to do that.  For now - I am going to look for some cute "green" things to send. 

[Gulf Coast Mom]

Donna - please send me a private message with either the address or site to look at.  Sorry - I have not mailed SH for a few months and forgot where to look :(  My box is ready to go tomorrow - I have to work but my husband is off for Mardi Gras holiday and said he will take it.  I have a plastic birthday table cloth, some birthday napkins and thingies that hang from the ceiling, a pin the tail on the donkey, St. Patrick's day window clings and decorations, two green plastic drink cups for the "birthday boys" with some tic tacs and drink mixes in the cups, and a couple other little things thrown in just so the box doesn't rattle.  Just need the address.  Thanks.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

On the Molly's main page there should be a link to MAS - We SHIP Love.  It is a private group, just request membership and you should hear from our wonderful Pat L. - from IL. In that group there is a discussion about Special Hugs' POC, click on that and you'll have POC Kristin's full name and addy.  If you still have a problem, send me a message at:  [e-mail] and I'll send a private message back to you with the info you need.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Oooppps!  Sorry, I should have known that our Miss Pat would be on top of things!!  Did you see her comment below?

[2catsn2sailors]

Ditto from me, too, Donna, please! My box is sitting here waiting for an address, so it can be on its merry way.

[Pat L. in IL]

Gulf coast mom and 2catsn2sailors, I checked and you are both members of "MAS We Ship Love" where the addresses can be found. Go to the Molly's group page and scroll down until you see "MAS We Ship Love" highlighted. Click on it and you should be good to go. Let me know if either of you has a problem! Pat

[Sarabi2013]

The Special Hugs address is not displaying for me either. I have been looking for several days. The new address for Operation Afghanistan is displaying for me though.

[Pat L. in IL]

Sarabi2013, Go to "MAS We Ship Love" and click on "View All", then scroll down to "Special Hugs POC". If you don't find it, LMK and I will PM it to you. Pat

[Sarabi2013]

Thank you Pat! The "View All" did the trick.

[Lorraine]

I'll be sending one box this week with a couple DVD's, candy, and Little Debbie cakes. Cards too!

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Thank you Lorraine!  They are going to love everything!!

I am posting a note I got from our POC this AM - check it out.  :)