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)]

I will have to send an email and get an answer for you CruAn.  I really don't have a clue on that one!!

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Good morning CruAn!

I got a message from our POC.  She said yes to the batteries and ear buds, but she also commented that they have a pretty well stocked shelf of books & that perhaps you'd rather send them to another group.  So my guess is that it is up to you.  Personally, I think the idea of someone finding new books on the table might be just the thing ... but that's my opinion only.  Her entire message is posted on the next page.

[Kim (Ethan's Mom)]

My St Patty's box came back :-(    I will have to save the decorations for next year. The last 4 digits on the zip didn't print on my label. I forgot to check it. I won't make that mistake again!

I've got my Easter eggs stuffed and will be mailing this week along with some other snacks!

[Whit and Stephen's Mom (Ann)]

I mailed some boxes to a family friend in Afghanistan last week and didn't have the last 4 digits.  I asked his mom and him and they didn't have it.  I asked the mail clerk if it was going to be a problem and he said "no".  We never received notice that the last 4 had to be on it.  I told him what happened and he acted surprised!

[Kim (Ethan's Mom)]

That's the only box I have ever had come back! I guess it just depends on who is sorting mail and wants them to go forward. Somebody must have been having a bad day!

[Whit and Stephen's Mom (Ann)]

You'd think they would be a bit more understanding and helpful when they see where the packages are going.  They all have custom forms so it's clear they are going overseas

[Lorraine]

I have found that even if you type the +4 it may not print! So always check. I hope USPS gets that feature fixed.

[Kim (Ethan's Mom)]

Donna my Easter eggs went out yesterday! I'm getting my BBQ stuff together and will mail next week? I can't remember the ship date for it.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Our POC said the "end of the month".  When I send her the other questions, I'll ask for that too.

[Lorraine]

I received a very nice thank you from our recent mailing.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

That is really sweet Lorraine!  I'm really very glad that the command of this unit is making morale a top priority - for everyone.  I just finished a very sad story about some of the messages that our military are leaving behind in their barracks as they are rotated home.  The one that broke my heart read, "Three months I will get home. Then I'll put a bullet in my head to forget."

Our poor, marvelous heroes are suffering so much from the endless wars of Kuwait, Iraq, A'stan, the threat of Syria and now Russia.  I'm so happy we can do a little to make the time pass quicker for this group and their patients.

Thanks everyone!!

[2catsn2sailors]

That is terribly sad, Donna. I wish we could reach out to more of them to let them know how many people really do care about all of the sacrifices that our military make, especially the troops on the ground.