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Excerpt:

ROYAL PALM BEACH — Peter and Jean Morris know the problem they’re trying to address is huge. And their charity is like a raindrop in the ocean, making tiny dents in the vastness of cancer and the dollars needed to fight it.

But to the patients they’ve helped, those raindrops, those small cash donations, were salve on the wounds that cancer inflicted to so much more than their physical health.

Tonia Rogers of NBC / WPTV Channel 5 interviews Founder, Jean Morris of Hugs and Kisses, Inc.

Tiffany Kenney visits Hugs and Kisses, Inc. in Royal Palm Beach, Florida – an organization run by a husband and wife team who manage student volunteers who raise money to pay urgent living expenses for cancer victims.

Students also get community service hours for school

I am a 48 year old mother of three beautiful girls. My husband Gary was diagnosed with leukemia in 2008. It was devastating news to me and the girls. The diagnosis was harsh, yet the prognosis was promising, so we kept our hopes up.

I remember that day I admitted Gary in the hospital for a 30-day induction of his first protocol of chemo-therapy. I was confused, anxious, and fearing for how I would take care of my family, home and bills.   Gary had always been the primary source of income.  I had been a stay at home Mom for 20 years.

Gary was put in remission and life went on as normal, until the following March 2009 when we got the devastating news of his relapse.  At that time, there was another 30 day induction which landed us in ICU, dialysis and many more complications.  

One day, I left the hospital wandering around to purchase necessities for Gary’s stay.  Almost as if it was meant to be, I ran across the Hugs and Kisses Center – a place where Palm Beach County residents go to support families like mine who battle cancer.

Once again my husband managed to overcome the treatment and the disease; we thought it was over.

It was during his second remission when we were asked if Gary would do a stem cell transplant to help keep him in remission.  The risk of the transplant was minimal considering the benefit. So, of course he jumped at the chance to prolong his life with his children. During the first stage of the transplant, we lost Gary.

It was devastating, the doctors were shocked and our family in disbelief.  His death on August 14, 2010 was a shock to us all.   But the harsh reality was the fate of me and my girls.   What was I to do? How would I get by?  No income!  A home! No vehicle!

My community stepped up to help us, including everyone who donates buttons, time or money to Hugs and Kisses, Inc.  They were able to help me by paying a month of my mortgage which was a lifesaver.  It’s been five months since my husband’s death.  We are still strongly emotionally and financially distraught – in ways I cannot begin to describe.   But, during some of our darkest moments, when the worrying was unbearable, we were able to get relief from Hugs and Kisses.

Button Bouquet from Shannon and Randy wedding

Special thanks to Ava Kate Photography for use of these images of Shannon and Randy at their wedding.  SEE IMAGES HERE

For this tax deductible donation, the bride received a bridal bouquet, 4 bridesmaids bouquets, 4 groomsmen boutonnieres, and a cake top for use in her wedding and as gifts for the wedding party.  How cool is that?

Volunteers at Hugs and Kisses, Inc. designed this wedding package to compliment the bride’s vision.  Traditional or eclectic designs are available to suit any occasion.

If you’re planning a wedding, we encourage you to discover how a donation to help cancer patients can also provide you with a beautiful, one-of-a-kind wedding package that will last FOREVER.

Just

 call us: 561-819-9471

For gatherings larger than our facility can accommodate, we partner with you to host events at popular venues.

To discuss how you can turn your next party into a rewarding benefit to help cancer patients and youth development in your community – and get a nice tax deduction while you’re at it – CONTACT US.

Once they’ve completed orientation and training, volunteers may attend as often as they wish.

We offer age-appropriate tasks and challenges based on volunteers interest levels and our work-flow. Mentoring includes accounting, marketing, design/production, distribution and more to give our students a broad spectrum of business experiences.

Volunteer time is tracked for all ages and documented for student curricula.

Note: Community service at the Hugs and Kisses Center is proactive and not court-ordered.

Step 1: Usage Agreement

NOTE:You MUST download [right-click, Save As], print, complete and bring along the following agreement form: Hugs and Kisses Usage Agreement for Individuals

Step 2: Student/Parent Agreement

NOTE:You MUST download [right-click, Save As], print, complete and bring along the following agreement form: Student Volunteer Work Agreement and Parental Agreement

Step 3: Volunteer Application

INDIVIDUALS

Our young volunteers make gifts for single donations as low as $5. For larger donations, you may select from a variety of gifts ranging from fashion accessories or decor for your home, office or events.

Some of our gifts are used for birthdays, holidays, religious occasions, weddings, memorial services and more.

CORPORATIONS

Supporting a cause in your market is a great way to distinguish yourselves as good corporate citizens. But how your act of kindness is revealed is as important as the donation itself.

Hugs and Kisses, Inc. guarantees your donation will be felt and known to a large audience in a way that is not self-serving.

Companies who donate funds to Hugs and Kisses, Inc. gain the unique advantage of engaging entire communities in a rare way that no form of marketing nor networking can provide. Rather it shows your genuine concern and efforts to bring immediate results to improve a pressing problem impacting your community.

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By donating your extra buttons to us, you help us keep costs down and therefore provide more grants to families requesting our financial assistance.

CONTACT US to let us know you have extra buttons to donate.