I learned of “HUGS” walking through a mall one day where they were set up and preparing stuff to be sent. I thought it was a great idea, being a veteran that has been deployed, I know the value of receiving such packages. This was around 2005 I think. I have a Facebook account and I seek out veteran groups to read about. I came across HUGS again and started checking on all they were doing. What started out small has grown nationwide and become more than “just packages from home”. What they do is deliver hope and love with ever package. I give to many veteran charities and am particular who I give too. I have an auto donation ever month to HUGS, and would recommend anyone wanting to send a little bit of home and love to a lonely troop, give to them. Dale Bishop USAF 64-68.
I just remember a man a dad, a son, a husband, maybe a grandpa, a brother, a friend.
John Pendo strive Rd in Moss Landing Ca
The most amazing thing about the nonprofit is that no one in the organization takes a salary. This is truly a labor of love for our military.
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In 1990, I was stationed onboard the USS Independence in the middle of the Persian Gulf at the beginning of Desert Shield. A little church in Oklahoma wrote letters of support and then sent us care packages full of love and support. That support meant the world to me.
Because of the love of strangers so many years ago, my wife, Karen and I began a similar effort in 2004 to support the younger generation. The Hugs Project has now sent out hundreds of thousands of care packages and we continue to support.
We are also funding an effective treatment for TBI/PTSd called hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Veterans are given too many drugs to mask the side effects of combat "hidden wounds" of the brain. These drugs are contributing to a suicide epidemic. This must change and HBOT is the most effective way of healing the damage caused to the brain by blast injuries. Please research to learn more.
Our Veterans need to know that hope is here and help is coming.
By the way, I married the lady who started the effort at that little country church. God moves in mysterious ways His wonders to perform.
30 years ago, at the beginning of Desert Shield, a lonely Sailor from Lubbock, Tx sat onboard The USS Independence in the middle of the Persian Gulf. He, like many/most of the men serving on that ship, wondered if America would be behind them this time (unlike Vietnam). When he heard an announcement stating that Any Service Member letters were available in the morale office, he headed that way but by the time he got there, all the letters were already gone. 2 weeks later, same result, no more letters. Seems everyone wanted to hear from someone back home. A month later when they called over the 1MC, "Letters have arrived again", he took off running. He flew through the morale office door and since he had been close to the office when they made the announcement, he was the first one there.
He grabbed the letter on the top of the stack before realizing he was the first guy there and he could have any letter he wanted. He says he put that letter back on top and went down the stack until, "It felt right"....we've now been married for 28 years.
Because my little country church supported Ray Stark and other Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines during the first Gulf War, he decided in 2004 that we should support our deployed Troops with letters, care packages and prayers.
We know God directed his hand to my letter that day, knowing we would be doing this project for the last 17 years. We make sure Americans deployed in harm's way can know, without a doubt, that Americans are behind them and appreciate them for the difficult jobs we ask them to do.
If you want to support a charity that is 100% operated without using any donation money to pay salaries...that's The Hugs Project.
If you want to request a care package for someone in harm's way, you can click the "Request a Care Package" button at TheHugsProject.com
We are also now sponsoring young combat Veterans who suffer from brain injury related PTSd. You can learn more in the About Us section of our website. Come join us!!!
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30 care packages go out each week. 700 will be mailed at Christmastime. No better more supportive group that meets the need of some of America's finest young (and some not so young) men and women. HUGS LOVES TROOPS AND VETERANS!!!
For the past 5 years, they have been funding effective treatment for Military members with TBI/PTSd. Check out their website at: http://www.thehugsproject.com/hbot-for-tbi-veterans to learn more and you can also supply a name and address of your favorite deployed friend or loved one to receive a care package.
Thanks, HUGS.
We, at Main Street Out Loud, are proud supporters of our troops, active and veteran. We are always interested to learn of organizations that are actively involved in military support efforts.
Before we ever endorse an organization, we travel to its base and get to know the organizing members and some of the volunteers. We had heard of The Hugs Project and, in time, among other stops, we traveled to Oklahoma to get a firsthand look.
From the moment we met Ray and Karen Stark (founders of The Hugs Project), we were more than impressed---we were overcome with gratitude. The feeling of true love and care for our troops was more than about the story as to how they started this organization; the feeling was felt in the air, in the rented space, in every box prepared for shipping and in the hearts of everyone we met.
Many organizations start off meaning well, but in time, they become a business with too much overhead and not enough sincerity in caring for the objective. Physical locations, admin costs and salaries erode the loving foundation upon which too many of these organizations are originally built and the once cherished daily functions become burdensome chores carried out in a robotic manner.
Unlike the way of organizations mentioned, The Hugs Project is every bit the organization started more than 15 years ago---if anything the love and care has increased through the unadulterated dedication to its founding principles of caring for our troops.
From our first meeting in 2010 to this day, we have stayed in touch with and supported The Hugs Project. We have had Karen Stark on the air, as our guest during special broadcasts regarding our men and women in uniform. And yes, we have even become close friends with Ray and Karen; we consider them as part of our extended family.
The Hugs Project, under the hands-on daily guidance of Ray and Karen Stark, is not only in good hands, it is surely the standard bearer for the true meaning of charity. Packed with the necessities so needed by our troops, also included is love without boundaries and sacrifice without limits. And while our troops need the material items, the boost in moral through the warmth felt as they open their packages---they get "Hugs" too.
Imagine the world if all social cause nonprofits (as The Hugs Project) were grounded in the purity of charity (love).
Without reservation, I, as executive producer and host of Main Street Out Loud, believe that no other nonprofit organization deserves recognition and support more so than The Hugs Project.
Rudi K
Main Street Out Loud
I have worked with Hugs for more than 5 years. They are caring, compassionate people who truly do love our military. Wish there were more like them.
I am honored to work with such wonderful people who work extremely hard getting things done for our soldiers in harm way. With the letters and pictures that we get makes us know that what we do give them a little bit of home. Being a Navy wife and a Marine mom (daughter) it make me feel good to be able to do this work.
I have personally worked on projects with Karen and am constantly amazed at what she is abled to do for our service men and women. The Hugs Project is a beacon of light among nonprofit agencies and a testament to what a simple idea can blossom into.
As a staff member of Feed The Children, we cannot say enough about The Hugs Project. It is a little TLC from home. They are well organized and have a great volunteer base. It also helps give family members peace of mind knowing their loved ones are receiving a care package to lift their spirits while they are serving our country. We are proud to partner with The Hugs Project.
Having been the Commander of the Oklahoma Air National Guard, I am an ardant supporter of the amazing work that "The Hugs Project" does for our soldiers and airman. The volunteers, the leadership, the dedication to keep those defending American aware that folks at home appreciate their sacrifices. They are a 4 star in my book.