Making Christmas Merrier for Sick Kids!

They haven't performed life-saving surgery or delivered cancer-killing
chemotherapy, but the volunteers of the HUGS and HOPE Foundation for Sick Kids are an important part of life for hundreds of  critically ill children.
 

They're not doctors or nurses.  They are ordinary people in communities all
over America who "adopt" and encourage children who are battling for their
lives.   They mail hundreds of cheery cards and small gifts to help put
happy smiles on the faces of suffering kids who might otherwise have little
to smile about.  This "happy mail"  helps kids forget, for just a little
while, that they are fighting for their lives.

Nine-year-old Connor loves watching Scooby Doo with his dad and playing
computer games.  Connor has had radiation therapy, chemo therapy, and seven surgeries in his battle to beat a rare form of cancer.    His experience has been made a little easier because of the "happy mail" he receives from the Hugs and Hope Club.

The club's Hug-givers and Hope-builders (as the 3000+ volunteers are called) are committed to delivering  joy -- along with fun surprises; but they alsoreap many rewards as a result.  Hugs and Hope founder, Marsha Jordan,says, "Happiness is like peanut butter.  When you spread it around, 
you can't help but get some on yourself too."

HUGS and HOPE is sponsoring a special ELF project for the holidays.
Volunteer sponsors will be paired up with a critically ill child for whom
they shop and wrap gifts.  Each elf provides not only Christmas gifts for
their "adopted" child, but a little more love, joy, and hope in their lives
as well.

You are invited to join the Elf Project and experience for yourself the joy
of helping children.   To volunteer, visit the HUGS and HOPE website at
http://www.hugsandhope.org/elf.htm   Give a child -- and yourself -- a reason to smile this holiday season.

For more information,  email hugsandhopeATgmail.com

YOU can make a difference for some child(ren) this holiday season

To see photos of kids opening gifts from their HUGS and HOPE elves last Christmas, click here. To sign up, email our head elf, Terresa.