Hugs Across America News http://www.hugsacrossamerica.net/html/news.htm en-us CuteNews <![CDATA[Chruch Shooting Kills Minister]]> http://www.hugsacrossamerica.net/html/news.htm?subaction=showfull&id=1236781804&archive= Being at church while a gunman walks in and shoots your minister during the service, is difficult for adults to deal with, but for children it is shattering.  204 little angel teddy bears are on the way to comfort these youngsters when they return to church on Sunday, March 15th.

Rev. Fred Winters sermon about "Being Happy in Difficult Times" is prophetic...but hard to apply.  If we can help, we must.  Our prayers are with all the parishioners and family. The shooting occured at the First Baptist Church in Maryville, Ill., a St. Louis suburb.

We would like to thank First and Main, Inc. for their speedy response and thoughtful assistance.

]]> 1236781804 Wed, 11 Mar 2009 10:30:04 -0400 <![CDATA[Ice Storm Kills 27]]> http://www.hugsacrossamerica.net/html/news.htm?subaction=showfull&id=1233847597&archive= Across Kentucky, the state hardest hit by the deadly ice storm that has hobbled parts of several states for most of this week and last, people without power spent another day Saturday crammed into the homes of relatives, neighbors or shelters. Others awaited sporadic visits from rescuers, and some still hadn't been reached at all. The American Red Cross of  Western, Kentucky asked for 50 teddies to carry with them and provide for children who are now living in shelters.   Many schools, and businesses have been without electricity for a long time and people are using space heaters that have started house fires.   "It's a bad situation and may be quite a while before it gets better", says Hiedi Cox of the Red Cross Disaster Team.
 
]]> 1233847597 Thu, 05 Feb 2009 10:26:37 -0500 <![CDATA[NY Islanders Sponsor Hugs]]> http://www.hugsacrossamerica.net/html/news.htm?subaction=showfull&id=1233007566&archive= Get a discounted ticket for Kids Day Feb. 16th  ...It's a school holiday...soooo, you all come!

]]> 1233007566 Mon, 26 Jan 2009 17:06:06 -0500 <![CDATA[Off Broadway Sponsors Hugs]]> http://www.hugsacrossamerica.net/html/news.htm?subaction=showfull&id=1228513741&archive= "SLEEPWALK WITH ME"  with comedian Mike Birbiglia!

  

Go see the show and bring a teddy bear for Hugs...

ticket price will be 20% off.  Ticketron knows all about it!

]]> 1228513741 Fri, 05 Dec 2008 16:49:01 -0500 <![CDATA[Hugs Fundraiser]]> http://www.hugsacrossamerica.net/html/news.htm?subaction=showfull&id=1228400936&archive= Hugs Across America had it's annual fundraising cocktail party on Nov 22nd at the Manhasset Bay Yacht Club.  The event brought folks from near and far...neighbors and friends from Manhasset as well as supporters of Hugs mission from as far away as Florida and Massachusetts. All were treated to a rousing round of questions for Mike Franseca, sports commentator for the WFAN and "Mike'd Up" of NBC fame, as well as inspiring personal messages of support from Honorees, Robbie Donno, Founder and CEO of Gift of Life International, and Charlene and Mike Prounis, community activists and ardent enthusiasts of Hugs.
 
In this economy it is an truly an honor to receive the continued support both of those in attendance, The MacHugs Chapter of Hugs in Pinehurst, NC and especially Kenrda Phillips, Lauren Gaffney of HBO, the Board of Trustees and the local businesses that provided services and support for our effort as we continue to bring comfort and hope to anxious, hurting children who are victimized by traumatic circumstances.  We recognize that this year is uniquely difficult, and as a charitable organization, can only say a heartfelt "Thank you" to all.
Mike Francesa shares a teddy!
]]> 1228400936 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 09:28:56 -0500 <![CDATA[Ben at the Race]]> http://www.hugsacrossamerica.net/html/news.htm?subaction=showfull&id=1224267272&archive= Ben Willis, a remarkable 5 yr old, from Nashville, Tennessee decided that he wanted to help children who were scared or hurt through the hugs of teddy bears.  Ben knows how much his teddy comforts him,  so he decided to raise money for Hugs Across America by running in a Race for Hugs.  In addition, Ben has sold our bracelets and lollipops for money to buy bears for hurting kids all over the United States.   Thank You, Ben!  You are a very special humanitarian ( that's a kid who wants to do good stuff for others...like you do ).

                                

]]> 1224267272 Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:14:32 -0400 <![CDATA[HELP VICTIMS OF HURRICAN IKE!!]]> http://www.hugsacrossamerica.net/html/news.htm?subaction=showfull&id=1222093691&archive= THE TANNER WEBB CHAPTER OF HUGS ACROSS AMERICA WILL BE COLLECTING TEDDY BEARS SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2008 AT THE AZLE STING FLING 9AM -4PM MAIN ST. AZLE TEXAS .

THE BEARS WILL BE TAGGED WITH MESSAGES OF HOPE AND ENCOURAGEMENT AND WORKING WITH THE RED CROSS WILL BE DELIVERED TO LOCAL SHELTERS IN THE AZLE, SPRINGTOWN AND FT. WORTH AREA WHERE THERE ARE CHILDREN BADLY IN NEED OF A HUG.

THIS WOULD BE A PERFECT TIME FOR YOUR CHILD' S SCHOOL, PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT OR CHURCH GROUP TO COLLECT TEDDY S AND GIVE THEM TO A CHILD IN NEED.

 

HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF CHILDREN LIVING IN CRISES!

 

]]> 1222093691 Mon, 22 Sep 2008 10:28:11 -0400 <![CDATA[Ike Ravages Coast]]> http://www.hugsacrossamerica.net/html/news.htm?subaction=showfull&id=1221795557&archive= Although Hurricane Ike did not seem to be as distructive as anticipated, the aftermath continues to devastate thousands upon thousands who are not able to return home.  Many are not even certain that home will still exist and others who survived the storm  remain without electricity and water while basic supplies are running out.  Hugs Across America Chapters have stepped up to help by providing teddy bears for children staying in church  shelters throughout Houston, Brazoria and Passadena, Texas.   The United Way of Montgomery County, Texas will take teddies with them as they go door to door answering calls for help.  Our Oklahoma, Kelsey Briggs Chapter of Hugs, led by Jamie Gallimore and Loretha Sweetin, the Woodmen of the World Chapter in Georgia, led by Ted Church and the nationl headquarters have worked particularly hard getting teddies ready to meet the need

 

Tagged and ready for Ike shelters...more to come!

]]> 1221795557 Thu, 18 Sep 2008 23:39:17 -0400 <![CDATA[Gustav hits the Coast ]]> http://www.hugsacrossamerica.net/html/news.htm?subaction=showfull&id=1220382816&archive= Hurricane Gustav hit the coast of Louisiana with category 3 winds in excess of 120 mph, pouring rain of possibly 12", flooding local rivers and testing newly constructed levees.  Although it did not appear to be "the big one",  it certainly wrecked havoc with the lives of those living in it's path. Shelters from New Orleans to Baton Ruge to Ruston to Houston were full to overflowing with the approximately 2 million people leaving the vulnerable coast.  The national Hugs office in NY and three local Hugs chapters, stepped up to provide hundreds upon hundreds of teddies for shelters in need. Jakki Hatchett, the leader of "Jacob's Hugs" in Minden, Louisiana, took the chapter bears as well as National's bears to shelters in Shreveport, Joni Mabry of "Lagniappe Hugs" ( a Creole word meaning, "a little extra" ) in Ruston, Louisiana took her several hundred teddies to Trinity Church, Emmanuel Church shelter and the Civic Center of Ruston where shelters were readied, and Ted Church, of the Woodmen of the World Disaster Team, in Conyers, Georgia, added teddies to the disaster team trucks as they rode to the hardest hit areas of the storm.  Though we are learning to prepare more effectively for hurricanes, we can not make the fear just go away ...and in the eyes of a child, a welcoming teddy hug, makes the difference.  Waiting for a bed in a safe shelter while the storm rages, can be a scarey thing for the whole family.  A huge "thank you" to all those who helped this volunteer effort!

 Joni Mabry makes sure that the kids at Emmanuel Baptist Church shelter have a special teddy to hug while their cots are readied.

]]> 1220382816 Tue, 02 Sep 2008 15:13:36 -0400 <![CDATA[Hi Ho, Hi Ho It's Off to Sea We Go...]]> http://www.hugsacrossamerica.net/html/news.htm?subaction=showfull&id=1218034754&archive= 500 teddies from Hugs Across America just joined the Navy to assist in a good will mission bringing medical assisstance and comfort to needy families in Latin America and the Caribbean. Two U.S. Navy amphibious ships have been involved with project "Continuing Promise", providing health care and other relief services to nine Latin American and Caribbean nations during this humanitarian and civic assistance mission.  Continuing Promise offers valuable training to U.S. military personnel while promoting partnerships and goodwill.  USS Boxer (LHD 4) wrapped up the first phase in June after its embarked medical and engineering crews worked with partner nations to provide services in three countries.  Beginning in August, USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) will conduct the second phase, bringing care to six nations during a five-month deployment. Commodore of the deployment, Captain Frank Ponds, will provide information for those who wish to follow the Navy  Ship's progress.

]]> 1218034754 Wed, 06 Aug 2008 10:59:14 -0400