Hugs Across the County, an all-volunteer organization dedicated to serving the needs of St. Johns County children, is seeking support for upcoming programs for the 2018-2019 school year.
The programs include:
Clothing Care Packages
Since 2010, Hugs has filled and delivered Clothing Care Packages full of new shoes, new underwear, new- and gently-used clothes and full-size toiletries to hundreds of children referred by their school counselors.
How to help:
■ Volunteer to sort and/or pack based on your schedule.
■ Be a driver to deliver Clothing Care Packages to schools.
■ Organize a collection of full size toiletries, new undies, new sneakers.
■ Shop the organization’s Walmart Wish List at www.bit.ly/HUGS2018WISHES.
Food Pantries and Holiday Food Bags
Last year, Hugs provided winter break food bags to more than 700 students referred by their counselors. In addition to the winter break food program, Hugs helps stock food pantries throughout the year at three schools — Gamble Rogers Middle School, Gaines Alternative School and St. Johns Technical School.
How to help:
■ Volunteer to deliver food to schools once a month.
■ Organize a food drive (specific items) within your school, community, business or club.
More Diverse Books in Title 1 Schools
This summer during Hugs’ Summer Book Buddy program, the organization said a young reader specifically asked, “Can you bring more books with kids who are like me?”
In researching diverse books, Hugs conferred with a PhD about the importance of books to serve as "a mirror and a window" for young readers.
Hugs is working with literacy specialists at South Woods Elementary, Crookshank Elementary and Webster Elementary to determine needs and hope to begin a multi-year effort to provide new books, including more diverse books.
How to help:
■ Volunteer to help manage this effort.
■ Donate to www.stjohnshugs.org/give/ to support the organization’s efforts for new, diverse books to Title 1 schools.
Mentors and classroom volunteers needed
Mentors are needed to meet just once a week with students in grades K-12 who are facing homelessness, parent incarceration and other difficult situations. Title 1 schools also appreciate classroom volunteers, based on the volunteers’ availability.
How to help:
■ Volunteer to help manage this effort.
■ Email info@stjohnshugs.org for details about volunteer clearances and training.
For more information on Hugs or any of its programs, call (904) 580-4847, email info@stjohnshugs.org or visit www.stjohnshugs.org.
