About Us

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 58 foreign countries. The OKC group meets every W and TH from 10-4). We now have “group hugs” in many other cities. We have groups in Atlanta, GA; Sacramento, CA; Boring, OR; Austin, TX; Kansas City, MO; Elkhart, IN; Longmont, CO; Paducah, KY; and more cities have groups forming right now. Welcome to our newest group in Idaho!!

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 10 MILLION “hugs”, 900,000 “kisses” (helmet coolers), and more than 32,000 TONS of care package items. We are committed to improving quality of life for our dedicated U.S. Military Troops.

For a more detailed history of our organization, read The Hugs Project History.

1 Response to About Us

  1. Dottie Cather says:

    Interested in sewing for the troops, okiedot@aol.com

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