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)]

Hi CruAn!  I think it would be a nice touch.

I've run into a problem, however, I lost my email account and I don't have our POC's email addy anymore!!  YIKES!  So, I'm waiting for slow boat mail to get there and back.

Maybe if anyone here has her email address they could send it to me in a private message??  It would really help me out.

In the meantime, any thoughts about what we might do for June??

[Pat L. in IL]

Donna, Just emailed you the most recent email address that I have! Pat

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Has anyone here heard from our POC, Kristin, since the May mission of a Memorial Day picnic??

I sent 4 boxes in early May - 1 large & 1 medium for Mother's Day and 2 large for Memorial Day, but I haven't heard a word from her.

In the last 10 days I've sent 3 emails asking about our next mission (with my new email addy) and still no response.  It makes me wonder what is going on.  She hinted at it being a short deployment and a base closing, but still I'm surprised to have heard nothing.

I think that since no one has heard a word from Kristin, I believe we should just wait.  I don't want to have anyone work on packages and then have them returned.  Also, with the continued draw down of troops, perhaps we will have to shift our focus.

Please keep checking back.  Just as soon as I know something it will be posted here in detail with an announcement to check it on the main MAS page.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Pat, do you have anything you'd like to add as a member of the MAS board?  Please feel free to express your thoughts.  Thanks Sistah!!  :)

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

WOO YAH, we heard from our POC Kristin - I got the following note from her today:

Greetings from Camp L. in the Sandbox. Hopefully you are getting ready to enjoy some nice summertime.  It is extremely hot, dry here in H. Province.  Lucky for us, we have air conditioners.

Thank you so very much for all the wonderful goodies and support that you have sent to us at Alpha Surgical Company.

Your support helps us do our mission.

God bless and best regards,

LT. K. A.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

So we are back in business and able to do missions to support our CSH!!

It is too late to do anything for June.  The MAS adoption is in full swing.  But let's try to get something little out to them for the 4th of July and then we can plan our party for the end of the month.

My thought is sending them some red, white & blue decorations, beads, whatever so they can decorate for the patients.  And, send packs of freezer pops for a cold, sweet surprise.

Any other different thoughts?  Remember it has to be simple so as not to take away from the adoption.  If you have some suggestions, please post them so we can get a discussion going.