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Our most pressing need is a group of Marines who have recently been sent to Afghanistan (where the worst of the fighting is taking place).  They are marching deep into enemy territory where we haven't been before.  The only water and supplies they have is what they can carry in on their backs.   When they finally get a break and can receive mail from home, we want them to find care packages overflowing with snacks, hygiene items, DVD's and CD's, Oreos, SOCKS!! and other needed items.  But, most of all, we want them to experience the love we'll be tucking inside along with cooling ties and other items.  We'll be sending out more than 20 extra boxes to the Marines in Afghanistan this week in addition to the 25-35 packages we normally send.  That's $500-$650 in postage and that's to send out EMPTY boxes, it also takes MORE money to fill them so....we need YOUR help.  If you can help us with ANY amount, it will be very much appreciated.  Please scroll down for the mailing address or PayPal link.  Thank you for having a HUGe heart for some of America's finest young men and women.     This young Marine weighs 145 pounds and the pack he carries (because he's a mortar man) weighs more than 120 pounds.  He must stop every couple dozen steps or so and bend to the waist to take some of the pressure off his back. Can you even imagine?  This American serviceman volunteered to do this job in order to ensure MY safety and yours.  Please help us meet his needs by sending in a donation today.        The Hugs Project, started May, 2004 in Oklahoma by Ray and Karen Stark, is a non profit 501 C 3 organization. We were the first ones to send cool ties (affectionately nicknamed "hugs" since they go around the neck) to the Middle East. We recognized the need to help keep American Troops and our allies cool during the summer and warm during the winter. Our dedicated group also sends care packages and other handmade items to our Service Men and Women. This is our way of saying, "Thank you, we respect you and appreciate everything you do for our Country. Thanks for protecting our freedoms".        The Hugs Project has members in every state and 43 foreign countries. The OKC group meets two to three times a week in the Oklahoma City area, but we are constantly growing and now have "group hugs" in many other cities.       We consider it an honor to be able to help some of America's finest men and women serving in our Military. Our hope is that every American citizen in the Middle East can receive a "hug from home". They are really easy to make and our troops over in the sandbox love them, along with all the goodies we send them.       Our group has sent out over 625,000 "hugs", 140,000 "kisses" (helmet coolers), and more than 200 TONS of care package items. We are committed to improving quality of life for our dedicated U.S. Military Troops.       Temperatures will top 140 (that's NOT a typo) degrees this summer so our main emphasis right now is writing LOTS of letters and making cooling ties (we affectionately call them "hugs" because they go around the neck and all our troops deserve a hug) that can reduce body temp by 5+ degrees. Hugs can save our men and women from heat stroke deaths. If you would like to help us meet the needs of our outstanding Military men and women (and civilians) in harm's way, please contact Karen at: TheHugsProject(at)cox.net for ideas about how you can help or to request packages and hugs for someone you know. We hope you will consider participating in our present and in their future. And if you can't sew, knit or crochet, we have other things with which you can help. FOR THE TROOPS Someone recently expressed surprise that the post office or the military isn't delivering these care packages to the troops for free. They didn't realize that every box The Hugs Project sends costs us between $12 and $40 for postage. But, that's the way it is...we get no help on shipping from the military and the post office wants to be paid. We are a grassroots organization and only exist because of the generous donations of patriotic people like you. Your donations are tax deductible. Thanks to Crossroad's Mall in Oklahoma City, we pay NO rent or utilities; also, we take NO salaries....All money donated goes directly toward materials, supplies, and care package items. A donation of just $50.00 will pay for 1 care package full of "hugs", "kisses" and other wonderful items (but any amount will help!). If you like, your name and address will be listed on the customs form and the return address label so that the troop will know who to thank. You can donate via PayPal using the link below.  Your donations are tax deductible. Thanks to Crossroad's Mall in Oklahoma City, we pay NO rent; also, we take NO salaries....All money donated goes directly toward materials, supplies, and care package items.  You can donate via PayPal using one of the links or contact Karen at: TheHugsProject(at)cox.net for other options. The Hugs Project is made possible by generous donations from patriotic people like you. Won't you show your gratitude for the sacrifices of our Armed Forces by making a donation today? Donations may also be sent to: The Hugs Project 7000 Crossroads Blvd. #1048 Oklahoma City, OK 73149 Subscribe to The Hugs Project Powered by groups.yahoo.com free website hit counter