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.

[2catsn2sailors]

Kristin writes awesome thank-you's. Makes me want to send another box. Can't wait to see the photos!

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

She is really on top of things!  And she is so sweet to work with.  No photos today, maybe tomorrow...

I know I'm working on 2 boxes right now - one for Easter which will have to go in the next week or so.  And then one for their b'days party at the end of the month.

We are having a great impact on morale.  Just warms my heart.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Just a short message from POC K.:

"Our April celebration if going to be moved to the end of the month but we
will still celebrate Easter with as many people as want to celebrate Easter.
I know I do. :) I love Easter Sunday.
The Easter thing will be just a casual gathering."

 

Originally, both Easter and the birthdays were going to be combined.  However, Easter would come in the middle of April's MAS adoption which was an issue.  So SH will be doing just the b'days party.  But just for an fyi we do have some Easter beanie babies which can be adopted.  The cost is $5 which will go to MAS to help with shipping costs of the packing parties.  You can include your own personal message.  Let me know & I'll get you all the specifics.  Here's a picture of what we have on hand:

I keep forgetting to remove the whale!  That one has already been spoken for, but all the others can be "adopted" for our SH.

[Denise (Dee)]

Donna - I wrote up my message for the Beanie Babies adoption and sent my check out in today's mail.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Thanks Dee!  I've had one of the teddy bears adopted also (she said she'd take either color).

So that leave me with just 4 more beanies for Easter.  Anybody want to adopt one???  I'll put it in my Easter box so it gets there in time.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Got it and it is in the box!  Thanks Dee.  Miss you & love you lots.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Anyone going to be able to help with the April BBQ-themed birthday party?  Please let me know.

[Sarabi2013]

A fun theme! My contribution will be at least one box. Not sure what the contents will be yet...

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Thank you Sara!  Whatever you find to help make their BBQ/birthday party more fun will be greatly appreciated I'm sure.

[Whit and Stephen's Mom (Ann)]

Donna, I will be sure to get out at least one box.  Once my brain starts working and I come up with something, I'll let you know what I'm sending.

[2catsn2sailors]

I'm sending an Easter box--cookies, candy, and cider packets for box filler.

[CruAn]

I have 1 box almost ready to go.  Chex mix snacks in different flavors but haven't finished shopping yet. I do have a question ... I was given a box of 10 audio books.  Is that something they might use.  She gave me batteries and ear buds too.