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Hi Everyone,

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Most of my time these days is spent going to "group hugs" in the Oklahoma City area.?  What in the world is a group hug, you ask??  Well, it's where we all bring our sewing machines, 100% cotton fabric (desert colors), dehydrated polymer crystals and sew for the troops.?  We work all day long for our young service members serving in harm's way.?  It's heating up right now in the Middle East.? ?  We make "hugs" (neck coolers) and "kisses" (head coolers) that can cool them down by up to 5 degrees each.?  That will save lives this summer when temperatures top 130 in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Qatar, Africa and other hot countries where we have troops deployed.

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We also make denim school bags and flat bears that our troops pass out to the children.?  When our guys make friends of the kids, sometimes those little ones tell them vital, life-saving info that can save American lives.?  They may know where weapons are hidden, bombs are being made or I.E.D.s are in place.?  When they learn that our Soldiers and Marines are the good guys, they sometimes share that info.?  That's powerful.?  We know that on occasion, something as small as a beanie baby bear has saved American lives.?  That's a wonderful thing.

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This is your chance to help make a difference in this world.?  Our US military marches fearlessly into the midst of the battle on terrorism.....for?  each one of us.?  They truly believe that they are standing between us and evil.?  Whether or not you like war (personally I HATE it!) our young sons, daughters, grandchildren and spouses deserve our love and respect and to know that we have NOT forgotten them.

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Our troops love hearing from someone back home.?  Some of them joined the military because they didn't have a good home life and so they join the military to make a better life for themselves.?  But, it's really hard when all your buddies are getting mail and you don't.?  We try to reach out to those guys and make a difference in their lonely lives.?  I say guys but you know that there are many lonely young women as well.?  They love hearing that someone cares about them.?  The number one most requested item in the Middle East is letters.
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The Hugs Project is a nationwide organization (in every state except N. Dakota - don't know why not) and we work together in group hugs and also individually in our own homes.?  You can write letters and send care packages directly to these dear young service members, we'll tell you how.?  If you have someone stationed overseas, of course, ship to them first.? ?  Info about all you need will be sent to you in an email if you write to TheHugsProject@ cox.net (take out the space please) or if you join the Yahoo group at TheHugsProject.net .

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Karen
TheHugsProject.net...because every American serving in
the Middle East deserves a "hug" from a grateful nation.