I am currently deployed to Iraq and they have sent my unit packages for every Holiday and even just random care pacakages. Everything they send is useful and really boosts the morale of the unit. It is great to see a group of people that are this supportive of the troops, keep up the good work! Kenny
Thank you so much for your support of all of us deployed to foreign lands! What you do reminds us of how great a nation we have! God Bless America! - Gordon, Iraq
We appreciate all the support of the volunteers back home. It is tough to be away from loved ones for such long periods and it means a lot when we are deployed to receive messages and packages. Thanks for all that you are doing. Know that it is a great boost over here and we truley appreciate the effort and support from all of you back home!!
In my humble experience, the HUGS project is nothing short of outstanding! I look forward every month for something form them. God bless all that are involved in this great project. Little things that they send make a big difference! From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU!
The Hugs Project have sent packages to addresses I have provided to them. All the troops have been thrilled to receive "Hugs & Kisses". I also had the honour of working with Karen & Ray at a VFW convention in Orlando several years ago. They worked hard, to raise funds to send packages to our troops on the home front. These hard working dedicated troop supporters inspire many others to work along side of them, and they never forget that have troops needing their help, daily. Thank you volunteer folks of the Hug Project.
The HUGs project sent care packages to my men in Afghanistan. They sent cool teck ties (hugs) and helmet liners (kisses) to keep us cool in the 140 degree summers. They also sent blankets and Christmas gifts in the winter. Of course lots of groups are charitable like the HUGS Project, but there was something different about this group. The members wanted to do more than send boxes. They sent correspondance and lots of love. They took a personal interest. They linked my men with other families in a broad network of sharing and fraternity. I guess that might seem ok to some people, but the needs of the modern combat Soldier, Sailor, Marine, and Airman are great so I found it to be Heaven Sent! We needed a means to vent frustrations as we were under massive stress. We needed to feel a sense of belonging as we missed our own families terribly. We needed to feel like what we did was a service the American people desired and appreiciated. The HUGs Project fulfilled these needs for us. In our darkest hours, they were the Cavalry who came to our rescue. I know these folks all deserve ample thanks and they all have my eternal appreciation, but specifically I wanted to thank Lee Coe, Dawn Case, and Debbie Cappel. These three cared for me on a personal level and even connected with my familiy back home. If the HUGs volunteers are all saints, then these three women are most assuredly angels. God bless the HUGS Project and God Bless America. Sincerly MAJ Curtiss Robinson, ARSIC-S Police Mentor Team Chief, Shahjoy district, Zabul province.
The Hugs project is an amazing group of people who truly care about our troops. Karen and the gang, never batted an eye when I asked for cold weather gear for my son and his platoon in the mountains of Afghanistan this past winter, now that things are HOT! They graciously sent over 40 cool ties to my son's platoon, making sure there were enough for everyone. They have included my son on their care package list, when I was financially unable to send packages to him. Often as a marine mom we learn of other young men and women who are deployed but who are receiving little or no mail from home. I have passed these names on to the hugs project as well, and they made sure to add them to their lists. My son called and said mom, Marine X got a package today from the Hugs Project and he said it made him so happy that someone thought of him. He couldn’t believe that someone he didn’t even know sent him this wonderful box. What a morale booster. Everyone always shares with each other but it is nice when you get a box addressed to you. I am so grateful for all the support my son and his fellow marines, as well as all the troops they support, receive from this outstanding organization. There just are NO words to completely express my gratitude to them. God Bless, "The Hugs Project" and all of the volunteers who work so hard to support our troops.
Everyone says, "been there, done that" but I really have. Served in both Iraq and then again 2 times in Afghanistan. America's troops are doing a hard job without adequate supplies and it's groups like The HUGS Project that keep us going and motivated. We feel like these people are the true heroes. We're just doing our jobs. They don't have to do what they do but they do it because they care about us and that's better than gold. I've gotten care packages with hugs in them and just want to say thank you to each and every member who's ever packed a box or written a letter to let us know that you haven't forgotten we're still over here. May God continue blessing America and the good people of The HUGS Project.
I received several care packages from The Hugs Project when I was deployed to Iraq during the troop Surge in 2007-2008. When we were enduring rocket and mortar attacks almost daily, and I was separated from my family for a year while serving our country, it was very comforting to get a care package from home. Even in these days of email and phone access, there is nothing like a care package when one is deployed. Since my return I have volunteered for The Hugs Project. Karen Stark and the rest of the Hugs folks are true servant leaders. I thank God for them. -Kevin Calvey Captain, Army National Guard
