News

The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Hugs For Our Soldiers to host an upcoming hygiene drive for  American soldiers serving overseas.  The Jefferson County Chamber will take donations at their office from July 25th through August 3rd in order to support the HUGS program.  The hygiene drive is an ongoing effort of the HUGS program and supports any soldier registered for their program.

Hugs For Our Soldiers is a volunteer based non-profit organization headquartered in Vonore, TN which supports our troops serving overseas. HUGS mission is to provide a “touch of home” to our many soldiers who are currently deployed by sending care packages, letters, cards, and other items to them. The program offers all civilians the opportunity to adopt and care for a Soldier, Marine, Sailor, or Airman during their deployment.

HUGS Founder and CEO Kathy Orcutt is coordinating directly with the chamber on the hygiene drive. "From our end, the hygiene drive is ongoing--no deadline. Our soldiers are constantly in need, so anyone can jump onboard in supporting a drive at any time," Orcut said. Once items are collected, Orcutt along with HUGS volunteers will pick up the items to be packaged and sent to those serving our country overseas.

The Hygiene Drive focuses on collecting supplies for both Ditty Bags for Wounded Soldiers and Hygiene Bags for Combat Soldiers.  To donate Ditty Bags, please use a quart-size ziplock bag as there is not much room on the gurneys to lay these.  Place travel-size items in the bag as well as dropping a note of encouragement in the bag if you like.  Travel-size items needed for wounded soldiers include:

• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Soap or Body Wash
• Deodorant
• Shampoo
• Comb
• Disposable Razor

To donate Hygiene Bags for Combat Soldiers, please use a gallon ziplock bag and fill it with either travel or full size items along with a note of encouragement if you like.  Items needed for combat soldiers include:

• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Soap or Body Wash
• Deodorant
• Shampoo
• Disposable Razor
• Baby Wipes

HUGS is currently in need of many hygiene items due to the overwhelming demand from overseas.  Anyone can donate approved items on the Hygiene List to the organization which will then package and ship them overseas.  Those wishing to help the troops can drop their donations off at the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce located at 532 Patriot Drive in Dandridge during regular business hours, 8:30a.m. until 5:00p.m. Monday through Friday.  The drive will be held beginning July 25th and run through August 3rd.  You can also mail donations anytime directly to: Hugs For Our Soldiers, P.O. Box 532, Vonore, TN  37885.

HUGS not only coordinates the ongoing Hygiene Drive but also various other initiatives each completely supported by volunteer hours.  Including the Hygiene Drive, HUGS takes donations for care package items to be sent overseas, partners with Cell Phones for Soldiers to provide calling cards to overseas troops, coordinates the Adopt A Soldier program allowing civillians to 'adopt' a soldier overseas and operates both Christmas and birthday card programs to support the troops. The organization works hard to support as many troops as possible.

For more information about how to donate hygiene items or to get involved in other HUGS projects, visit Hugs For Our Soldiers online or “Like” them on Facebook.