Press Release December 5, 2010, OHAH Launches 2nd Annual Holiday Hugs Drive

Holiday Hugs 2010 Campaign Begins for Operation Hug-A-Hero

Operation Hug-A-Hero kicks off its 2^nd Annual Holiday Hugs Campaign to provide Hug-A-Hero dolls to the children of deployed military and law enforcement families this holiday season.

Jacksonville, NC (PRWEB) December 5, 2010 — Operation Hug-A-Hero, a 501(c)(3) organization serving the children of our deployed military, law enforcement, and others separated from their families in defense of our country, kicks off its 2^nd annual Holiday Hugs drive this week with the goal of raising $25,000 in 60 days to provide Hug-A-Hero dolls to children separated from their parents this holiday season.

Operation Hug-A-Hero Executive Director, Lisa Berg, reports a tremendous increase in the applications for the Hug-A-Hero doll program in the weeks leading up to and just after the holiday season. Berg explains that this is partly due to the fact that the holidays are very hard for children who are separated from a parent, or, in the worst case, if they have lost a parent serving in the line of duty. “Separation anxiety is often heightened during the holidays—a time that is already particularly stressful for the family back on the homefront or that is grieving a loss.” explains Berg. “Not only do Hug-A-Hero dolls provide tremendous comfort for these children, but they are also a way for the deployed parent to see that they are not forgotten and their kids do want to include them in their daily lives.”

These are excerpts from just three recent Operation Hug-A-Hero applications:

“We have pictures that the kids have posted all around the house and even our 16 month old goes to the door, opens it to look outside and says “Dada Dada… gone.” My husband’s worst fear is that the youngest two won’t remember who he is.”  – Devon Medina, US Marine Corps Spouse

“My husband is on his 3rd deployment, he’s in Afghanistan. We have 3 kids that all have Autism. I saw a child today that had one of your dolls and I loved it! This is something that would really benefit my kids. Autism already affects their ability to connect with us as parents, and being deployed makes it even harder. But having one of these dolls would be a great way to remind them that have a Daddy who loves them!” – Amber Mead, US Marine Corps Spouse

“I just deployed again and would love to be able to give something to my children, especially the twins, so that they don’t forget what I look like… as I have been out of their lives more than I have been in it since they were born. I know that this is something that they will keep for a lifetime and know that their Daddy loves them and is missing them just as much as they miss me.” – Jeremy Spence, Petty Officer 2^nd Class, US Navy

Operation Hug-A-Hero is inviting retailers, businesses, schools, churches, and other interested organizations to adorn a holiday tree with Holiday Hug ornaments. Each $25 donation represents a Hug-A-Hero doll to be gifted to an eligible child, but donations of any denomination are welcomed. Donors can write a personal message to the child recipient on the back of their ornament which will be used as a gift tag for the Hug-A-Hero doll that Operation Hug-A-Hero will send to the child.

All Holiday Hugs 2010 materials are provided by Operation Hug-A-Hero–the sponsors simply provide the tree or other display for the ornaments.  Alternatively, sponsors can initiate a donate-at-the-register campaign and display the ornaments in storefront windows or other prominent location.

“We are thrilled at the early response from organizations and businesses all over the country who are becoming Holiday Hugs supporters,” shared Stephanie Crabb, Director of Development for Operation Hug-A-Hero. “2010 has been a challenging year for fundraising for all non-profit organizations and we have hundreds of children on our waiting list right now. Our goal with Holiday Hugs 2010 is to provide Hug-A-Hero dolls to each of these families on our waiting list as well as fulfill the new requests we know are coming.”

Individuals who wish to donate to the Holiday Hugs 2010 drive directly can do so via the Operation Hug-A-Hero website. Donors may include a personal message to the child recipient and it will be written on a Holiday Hugs ornament on your behalf.

The Holiday Hugs Campaign will continue through January 31, 2010.

PressRelease on PRWeb -

2009 Holiday Hugs Drive

OPERATION Hug-A-Hero is inviting retailers, businesses, schools, churches and other interested organizations to adorn a holiday tree with OHAH Holiday Hug “ornaments.” Each ornament represents a Hug-A-Hero doll for a child, for a $25 donation. Donors can write a personal message to the child recipient on the back of the ornament which will be lovingly included in the package that OHAH will send to the child. OHAH will also offer the Holiday Hug drive on its website as well, and will offer donors the same opportunity to craft a personal message to the child recipient.

The Holiday Hugs Drive is made simple for the sponsoring organization as OHAH sends all of the materials – the sponsors simply provide the tree or other display for the ornaments. To obtain your Sponsor Package please contact our Director of Development, Stephanie Crabb at stephanie AT operationhugahero.org. or using our Contact Form select the Request a Holiday Hugs Packet option.

The Holiday Hugs for Our Littlest Heroes Drive will continue through January 31, 2010.

Be sure to check out our Press Release

Our Holiday Hug Angel:

Press Release November 17, 2009

OPERATION Hug-A-Hero® Launches Holiday Hugs Drive

OPERATION Hug-A-Hero kicks off its inaugural “Holiday Hugs for Our Littlest Heroes” Drive to provide Hug-A-Hero dolls to the children of military, law enforcement and first responder families this holiday season.

Jacksonville, NC (PRWEB) November 20, 2009 — OPERATION Hug-A-Hero, a 501(c)(3) organization serving the children of military, law enforcement and first responder families, kicks off its inaugural “Holiday Hugs for Our Littlest Heroes” drive this week with the goal of providing 2,500 children with Hug-A-Hero dolls this holiday season.

“I will be leaving behind my fiancee and daughter to go to South Korea for a year. I have only spent a few days apart since she has been born. I am hoping this (Hug-A-Hero Doll) will help her remember me while I am gone.”

OPERATION Hug-A-Hero Executive Director, Lisa Berg, reports a tremendous increase in the applications for the Hug-A-Hero doll program in the weeks leading up to and just after the holiday season. This is due in part, Berg suggests, to the fact that the holidays are very hard for the littlest heroes when they are separated from a parent or other loved one in their lives, or, in the worst case, if they have lost a parent serving in the line of duty. “The separation anxiety is often heightened during the holidays, a time that is already particularly stressful for the family back on the homefront or that is grieving a loss. In addition, the number of units and individuals across our armed forces scheduled to deploy in the January-February timeframe is high,” stated Berg.

A recent application for the OPERATION Hug-A-Hero program from a service member in the United States Air Force readying for deployment puts the need into perspective. The application stated, “I will be leaving behind my fiancee and daughter to go to South Korea for a year. It will be extremely hard for me considering I have only spent a few days apart since she has been born. I am hoping this (Hug-A-Hero doll) will help her remember me while I am gone,” shared Berg.

OPERATION Hug-A-Hero is inviting retailers, businesses, schools, churches and other interested organizations to adorn a holiday tree with OPERATION Hug-A-Hero Holiday Hug ornaments. Each ornament (a $25 donation) represents a Hug-A-Hero doll to be gifted to an eligible child. Donors can write a personal message to the child recipient on the back of the ornament which will be lovingly included in the package that OPERATION Hug-A-Hero will send to the child. The Holiday Hugs Drive is made simple for the sponsoring organization as OPERATION Hug-A-Hero sends all of the materials – the sponsors simply provide the tree or other display for the ornaments.

Individuals who want to participate in the Holiday Hugs Drive may do so on the OPERATION Hug-A-Hero website. The website will also offer donors the same opportunity to craft a personal message to the child recipient.

“We are thrilled at the early response from organizations and businesses all over the country who are becoming Holiday Hugs supporters,” shared Stephanie Crabb, Director of Development for OHAH. “Our goal is to have 50 participants in the Holiday Hugs Drive this year, and for each of those sites to display a minimum of 50 Holiday Hug ornaments. If we achieve this goal we will be able to include 2,500 more children in our program.”

The Holiday Hugs for Our Littlest Heroes Drive will continue through January 31, 2010.

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