HUGS: A Safe Haven for Hawaii's Seriously Ill Children & Their Families
Wednesday, June 08, 2016 |
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HUGS Hawaii is a non-profit organization founded in 1982 with the purpose of serving Hawaii's seriously ill children and their families. Through the generosity and support of numerous donors and organizations such as the Aloha United Way, HUGS has continued to provide a fun and nurturing atmosphere for many families.
One of the main ways HUGS provides this atmosphere is through its
monthly respite services, which usually occur on a select Friday every
once or twice a month. Respites allow parents to drop off their children
at the HUGS house in Kaimuki, near Kapiolani Community College, so
they are free to have a day to themselves after the long hours usually dedicated to taking good care of their children.
Pay It Forward does not represent this organization.
The HUGS house contains a wide variety of toys, dress-up costumes, and board games for kids and their siblings to play with. Outside the house, there is a playground with soccer balls, footballs, and mini play vehicles; there are so many activities for the kids to participate in.
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As for volunteers, they are the ones who give life to respites. Their duties include being responsible for the well-being of the kids, providing a positive and fun atmosphere, and helping to clean up the HUGS house after respites. Every volunteer must go through an orientation, where they learn more about HUGS's mission and vision, as well as given rules and information regarding conduct at respites. The orientation is capped off with a simulation of various situations that have happened at previous respites. Volunteers are left with a better understanding of respites and the behavior that is required of them.
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If volunteering at HUGS interests you, check out the following links:
To become a volunteer: Click here.
- Volunteer questions? Call (808) 380-6924.
For more information:
- Nikki Matsuoka '17
STAFF WRITER
Pay It Forward does not represent this organization.
Organizations
may change programs and service opportunities offered over time. For
the most up-to-date information about this organization, please visit
its website.
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