Jennifer L. Thrasher: Advisory Board Member, Past Board Chair and Founder
Hugaroo Inc., is about bringing comfort to someone. Sometimes words fail and all we can do is give a hug. If we can’t be there in person, something as simple, soft, happy, and silly as a stuffed animal is the next best thing. My sister and my family have been on the receiving end of peoples’ hugs and love and this is how we pay it forward. Making the world a better place doesn’t always require a big, complicated plan. It can be as simple as giving a hug.
Hugaroo Inc., is about bringing comfort to someone. Sometimes words fail and all we can do is give a hug. If we can’t be there in person, something as simple, soft, happy, and silly as a stuffed animal is the next best thing. My sister and my family have been on the receiving end of peoples’ hugs and love and this is how we pay it forward. Making the world a better place doesn’t always require a big, complicated plan. It can be as simple as giving a hug.
Aaron Thrasher: Advisory Board Member, Past Board Chair
Every child deserves happiness and hope, no matter what the circumstance is or the form. That's why I love Hugaroo - we give children hope and happiness even when they're experiencing the toughest of situations. A stuffed animal lets these children know they are loved and cared for, and to be hopeful for the future.
Every child deserves happiness and hope, no matter what the circumstance is or the form. That's why I love Hugaroo - we give children hope and happiness even when they're experiencing the toughest of situations. A stuffed animal lets these children know they are loved and cared for, and to be hopeful for the future.
Michael Harper: Advisory Board Member, Past Board Chair
It is all about the “smiles”. When I went with Jenna to make the first delivery of new stuffed animals to Levine Children’s Hospital, we saw a 4-year-old girl with her Grandmother waiting in the pick up / drop off area. She was holding her Grandmother’s hand tightly and obviously overwhelmed at all the activity. Jenna took 2 stuffed animals over and asked if she would like one. She looked up at her Grandmother wide eyed not knowing what to do. Her Grandmother said it was OK and she selected one and immediately crushed it with a hug with the biggest / brightest smile you can imagine. We didn’t know what was going to be the outcome of this first delivery but after giving over 12,000 new stuffed animals, the wonderment and satisfaction will still be with every “smile”.
It is all about the “smiles”. When I went with Jenna to make the first delivery of new stuffed animals to Levine Children’s Hospital, we saw a 4-year-old girl with her Grandmother waiting in the pick up / drop off area. She was holding her Grandmother’s hand tightly and obviously overwhelmed at all the activity. Jenna took 2 stuffed animals over and asked if she would like one. She looked up at her Grandmother wide eyed not knowing what to do. Her Grandmother said it was OK and she selected one and immediately crushed it with a hug with the biggest / brightest smile you can imagine. We didn’t know what was going to be the outcome of this first delivery but after giving over 12,000 new stuffed animals, the wonderment and satisfaction will still be with every “smile”.
Darleen M. Schauer: Advisory Board Member
When you share a hug with an animal, it will hug you back. The Hugaroo animals will provide comfort when you are sad and not feeling well, it becomes a friend.
When you share a hug with an animal, it will hug you back. The Hugaroo animals will provide comfort when you are sad and not feeling well, it becomes a friend.
Ted Susac: Advisory Board Member, Past Board Chair
Although Hugaroo's core idea is simple, I've had the privilege to observe the attentiveness that helps Hugaroo operate smoothly. Here's one example (among many) of thoughtful, collaborative, creative attention to details. If you think back to the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, it wasn't clear whether the virus could be transmitted via touch-so, understandingly, Hugaroo's hospital partners weren't accepting outside donations. Of anything. From anyone. Collaborating with the hospitals, the team improved the tag-and-bag process. One important step was to "double bag" the hugs after they had been prepared and then wait at least one week before delivery. The hospital removed the outer bag at arrival and knew the inner bag hadn't had any outside contact for at least one week. Simple... yet effective and approved by all the participating hospitals. With the improvements...Hugs! could be safely delivered - to all organizations (not solely the hospitals).
Although Hugaroo's core idea is simple, I've had the privilege to observe the attentiveness that helps Hugaroo operate smoothly. Here's one example (among many) of thoughtful, collaborative, creative attention to details. If you think back to the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, it wasn't clear whether the virus could be transmitted via touch-so, understandingly, Hugaroo's hospital partners weren't accepting outside donations. Of anything. From anyone. Collaborating with the hospitals, the team improved the tag-and-bag process. One important step was to "double bag" the hugs after they had been prepared and then wait at least one week before delivery. The hospital removed the outer bag at arrival and knew the inner bag hadn't had any outside contact for at least one week. Simple... yet effective and approved by all the participating hospitals. With the improvements...Hugs! could be safely delivered - to all organizations (not solely the hospitals).
Tory Susac: Advisory Board Member, Regional Director SC Lowcountry
“They call me Aunt!” For an only child, who will never have a chance to be an Aunt by blood, this opportunity to be part of a larger family is very special. These two delightful young ladies, Morgan and Jenna, have been a part of my life since they were born. When Morgan died it wounded us all to our very core. When Jenna decided to honor her with this project that later came to be Hugaroo, Inc., how could I not be a part of that!
“They call me Aunt!” For an only child, who will never have a chance to be an Aunt by blood, this opportunity to be part of a larger family is very special. These two delightful young ladies, Morgan and Jenna, have been a part of my life since they were born. When Morgan died it wounded us all to our very core. When Jenna decided to honor her with this project that later came to be Hugaroo, Inc., how could I not be a part of that!
Kathy Knollman: Advisory Board Member
For me, being a part of Hugaroo is the ability to honor a friendship by serving. And there is no better symbol of friendship than a hug when you need it most.
For me, being a part of Hugaroo is the ability to honor a friendship by serving. And there is no better symbol of friendship than a hug when you need it most.
Mary Pat Buskard: Advisory Board Member
I am excited to join Hugaroo in providing hugs to children.
I am excited to join Hugaroo in providing hugs to children.