Hugs are cooling ties, which can lower body temperature by one to four degrees, Norma Faulkner, Post 8384 VFW Ladies Auxiliary treasurer, said.
Faulkner said she heard about the project when she attend the Oklahoma VFW ladies auxiliary state convention in June.
Faulkner said she made 300 hugs while attending the convention.
Faulkner said the auxiliary has make over 500 hugs since June 23.
The hugs are given free to members of the military and their company, which usually amounts to 125 hugs. The ties are beige so they will blend in with their uniform, Faulkner said.
"We also make and sell bright patriotic colored hugs to help pay for the supplies to make the beige hugs for the military personnel. The hugs cost $5 each," Faulkner said.
The auxiliary also makes kisses, which are eight-inch circles to go inside the helmets.
With each hug a card is placed inside which reads "We appreciate you for your service to our country and we want you to have a hug from home. When you place it around your neck, please remember there is someone who made this by hand and wishes they could actually give a real hug. We want you to know that we are praying for your safety."
The card also has directions on how to use the hug.
Auxiliary members get together every second Saturday at the post to make the hugs.
Karen and Ray Stark in Edmond started the project. "We wanted our troops to know in their hearts that they are fully supported here at home and that they are not forgotten," they said. "Our mission is to place a hug around the neck of every American military member serving in the Middle East."
"The cooling ties are simple to make but the benefits are dramatic, they can lower body temperatures by one to four degrees. They can also be microwaved in the winter for reusable hand warmers," Stark said.
The ladies auxiliary also sponsors other projects like pancake breakfasts to help individuals in the community, meals for veterans which honor veterans on special days, taking flags to veterans in nursing homes, and other projects.
For more information on the ladies auxiliary or to join contact Faulkner at (918) 775-6007 or Shirley Mooring at (918) 427-6639.
