Hugs for Soldiers Presented $1,000 Grant by G-Braves

Hugs for Soldiers plans to use the $1,000 grant it was presented by the Gwinnett Braves at their Aug. 27 game against the Norfolk Tides to help send Christmas care packages to U.S. troops serving overseas. The "Red, White, and Blue" July G-Braves grant will be used to cover shipping expenses for the holiday care packages.

The “Christmas for a Soldier” holiday care packages provide items needed by American troops deployed in remote areas of Afghanistan and Iraq. These packages include letters of encouragement written to strengthen morale of the troops and express gratitude for their service. This past year, Hugs for Soldiers shipped more than 2,300 Christmas care packages to deployed troops. The grant will be used to increase the number of troops reached this year, according to Hugs for Soldiers founder Angie Doerlich of Duluth.

“'Hugs for Soldiers’ is honored and extremely grateful to receive the Gwinnett Braves Grant. We hope our packages, cards, and letters will lift the troops’ spirits and fill their holiday with good wishes and Hugs,” said Doerlich. “The grant will enable us to expand our program to more troops and cover the high cost of shipping expenses to these areas.”

A ministry of Duluth First United Methodist Church, Hugs for Soldiers has supported thousands of deployed U.S. military in Afghanistan and Iraq since February 2003. The organization also offers other programs to support troops throughout the year.

Along with the grant, Hugs for Soldiers received 50 tickets to the recent G-Braves game to share with supporters and volunteers. The organization also set up an informational table on the concourse at Coolray Field during the game.

This year's "Christmas for a Soldier" campaign started Sept. 1, Doerlich said, and will run through Nov. 18, 2011. For more information and a list of items suggested to be donated, visit www.hugsforsoldiers.org.