The Hugs Project of Western Kentucky, Inc.

HELLO ANYONE WHO CAN SEW. We are in need of anyone willing to donate just a couple of hours each week to making "hugs" (cooling wraps) for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The temperatures there will be in excess of 140 to 150 degrees F and these wraps will greatly help keep them cooler in the desert heat. Also, "smellies" (boot fresheners). Instructions are on the links page. They are very simple to make and we will provide all materials needed to make them. Contact us for more details.

Effective June 15th, we can now accept credit/debit cards on donations. We also accept Paypal, the link is on the home page in the right top corner.

CONGRATULATIONS to everyone who has helped with getting this years packages out to our troops. We have mailed the last 240 of the 1,000 packages as of 12/2/09. Two days later than we hoped, but still in time for them to get them early enough to return the blank Christmas cards to their family and friends. Thanks to those who helped pack boxes, make labels, donated funds, donated items, picked up items, ran errands and everything else it takes to make things work. You ALL are great.

We have received 2 flags, one that was flown over Bagdad and one that was flown on a C130 over hostile territory in Afghanistan from the troops we sent packages to as a thank you from them to us. We also received several certificates of appreciation from the troops. I cannot thank everyone enough for all the hard work and dedication during the Christmas season that made a difference in the lives of our troops.

We had to cancel the fundraiser at Big Lots since I was out of town and no one could take charge of it for us. Our next scheduled fund raiser will be at the 4th of July celebration in Murray. If you would like to help, contact us so we can set up the schedule.

THANK YOU to the Paducah Fire Department for once again doing a boot drive and raising over $1,800.00 for us. Every year we are able to count on our men and women who they themselves are heroes in their own right. Heroes helping heroes.

July 2, 3 and 4th we were at the Freedom Festival in Murray KY and had a great time. Met some wonderful people nd raised some money to send packages to the troops. Thank you to everyone who came out to help. The parade was great, wish we could have made a float to be in it but time was not available to get this done.

On a hot and muggy day the ladies from UMC Eddyville and Dwayne and Debbie came out on Friday and did a great job at getting packages packed for the troops. The ladies of First Christian Church and Toni Greene will have the labels made and we can get them mailed. We spent over 2300.00 in replentishing our supplies and still have about 1,000.00 to pay for postage. If you can help defer any of these costs, please contact us or  pay thru paypal in the upper right hand corner of the home page. If you send a check we will not have to pay the fee and the check will be your tax receipt as we are a tax deductible organization. Help us show our troops the love and support they deserve.

On July 31st and Aug 1st we will be in Eddyville on a fund raiser. Come on out and enjoy the festivities and help us some.

We will have a booth at the BBQ on the River this year. Please make plans to work on one of the days (or more) and enjoy the BBQ and do something for our troops at the same time.

Thanks to so many who have helped make The Hugs Project of Western Kentucky work.. We grow and that growth is due solely to the work and efforts of every person connected. No one person could do what we've accomplished alone. There are too many to mention by name (mostly because I'm afraid I'd miss someone LOL). But every one is important and the troops have benefited and are very grateful for all the work and love shown to them by our group. God bless our troops and may they come home safely.

Remember to pray without ceasing for the safe return of our troops.

Gayron "Papa Ferg" Ferguson

Some people's heroes wear capes, Mine wear Kevlar