Jenna Thrasher: Board Chair
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.
Micheal Harper: Board Member
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”.
Aaron Thrasher: Board Secretary/Technology Lead
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.
Tory Susac: Board Treasurer
“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!
Vicki Alfano: Board Member
I feel so very fortunate to be asked to join the board for Hugaroo, Inc. I’ve known Berta and Mike for 47 years and consider them dear friends. Our marriages were six months apart. My family grew with theirs over the years —my two boys and their two girls. The loss of Morgan was hard. We have gone through a lot with each other and to be a part of Hugaroo is just another strand of the rope that binds us close. I’m also excited to bring Hugaroo to Colorado. Anyone who knows me knows how much I love children and to be a part of providing “hugs” to children who need them is a perfect way to show it.
Looking forward to watching it grow!
I feel so very fortunate to be asked to join the board for Hugaroo, Inc. I’ve known Berta and Mike for 47 years and consider them dear friends. Our marriages were six months apart. My family grew with theirs over the years —my two boys and their two girls. The loss of Morgan was hard. We have gone through a lot with each other and to be a part of Hugaroo is just another strand of the rope that binds us close. I’m also excited to bring Hugaroo to Colorado. Anyone who knows me knows how much I love children and to be a part of providing “hugs” to children who need them is a perfect way to show it.
Looking forward to watching it grow!
Annmarie Mancusi: Board Member
A silent hug means a thousand words
A silent hug means a thousand words
Staff
Roberta (Bert) Harper: Hugaroo, Inc. CEO
Hugaroo, Inc. is about our daughters. The memory of Morgan who lost the cancer battle and honoring Jenna who learned that "life is not fair, but life is good" and took the first steps to "make a difference". I believe that God has a larger plan for our family that would hold Morgan close to us, "only a prayer away". Hugaroo is the opportunity for us to give back the love, prayers, courage, care and hugs that Morgan and our entire family received in that short/long 6 months of fighting cancer. Everyone has a story and becoming a donor allows many to "give back".
Hugaroo, Inc. is about our daughters. The memory of Morgan who lost the cancer battle and honoring Jenna who learned that "life is not fair, but life is good" and took the first steps to "make a difference". I believe that God has a larger plan for our family that would hold Morgan close to us, "only a prayer away". Hugaroo is the opportunity for us to give back the love, prayers, courage, care and hugs that Morgan and our entire family received in that short/long 6 months of fighting cancer. Everyone has a story and becoming a donor allows many to "give back".
Charlotte Hanson: Hug Intern
Hugaroo provides a sense of warmth and safety to kids going through hard times. I think it’s really amazing to be a part of something like that and it’s amazing to see the joy it brings kids. I have always loved doing stuff like this and it combines with my love for medicine and health so it’s a great organization to be involved in. Hugaroo is an amazing feel-good organization.
Hugaroo provides a sense of warmth and safety to kids going through hard times. I think it’s really amazing to be a part of something like that and it’s amazing to see the joy it brings kids. I have always loved doing stuff like this and it combines with my love for medicine and health so it’s a great organization to be involved in. Hugaroo is an amazing feel-good organization.
