The Hugs Across America annual cocktail party was a rousing success!  Over 100 guests enjoyed dinner, music by jazz singer, Thos Shipley, words of touching wisdom from author, HBO commentator and past president of the Cystic Fibrosis Society, Frank Deford, as all helped honor some very special Hug’s volunteers.

Katie Stainkamp, won the Presidential Points of Light Service Award this year and Ralph Iskaros our web master extraordinaire, received the annual Hugs “special effort” award.  Thank you to all who attended and gave generously  toward our mission to comfort children in crisis.  Perhaps Frank Deford’s words should be remembered by all who share this mission!
“I asked my 6 yr old daughter, Alex,  what she wanted to be when she grew up and her response was, ” A princess”!  …after many difficult therapy sessions of trying to dislodge mucous from her very clogged, Cystic, lungs by literally pounding her back …I had occasion to ask again what she wanted to be, but her goal had changed …when asked why, she said  “Because Daddy, my crown will fall off.” …  What your organization does by providing teddies and hugs of hope is to return to these hurting children the belief  that they really are the prince and princess’ of their dreams. “