Jina Jayanetti: Board Chair
Since meeting the Harper's, I have been inspired by their spirit of giving and the mission of Hugaroo. It is so important to feel safe and secure...and so many times, those little stuffed animals hear about all the fears and concerns from children and help them to feel less alone. I am honored to be able to serve on the board and help bring hugs to those that need them most.
Since meeting the Harper's, I have been inspired by their spirit of giving and the mission of Hugaroo. It is so important to feel safe and secure...and so many times, those little stuffed animals hear about all the fears and concerns from children and help them to feel less alone. I am honored to be able to serve on the board and help bring hugs to those that need them most.
Vicki Alfano: Board Vice-Chair, Colorado Hugs Director
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!
Jia Lin: Board Secretary
As I was browsing Hugaroo's website, it brought me back to one of my most traumatic events as a child. I was in the hospital for well over a month around seven years old, and during that time, only my mom and grandma visited me and they weren't allowed to bring me anything. Now thinking back, my time would have been a little easier if I had a stuffed animal that gave me hugs. I think about Hugaroo's mission to deliver and provide stuffed animals to children who have experienced life-threatening illnesses and traumatic events, and just hope that their companionship with a stuffed animal (preloaded with love!) will make their lives a little easier.
As I was browsing Hugaroo's website, it brought me back to one of my most traumatic events as a child. I was in the hospital for well over a month around seven years old, and during that time, only my mom and grandma visited me and they weren't allowed to bring me anything. Now thinking back, my time would have been a little easier if I had a stuffed animal that gave me hugs. I think about Hugaroo's mission to deliver and provide stuffed animals to children who have experienced life-threatening illnesses and traumatic events, and just hope that their companionship with a stuffed animal (preloaded with love!) will make their lives a little easier.
Jeanie M. Fisher: Board Treasurer
I learned about Hugaroo through Tory Robertson-Susac and became a volunteer for the holiday season. I enjoyed being involved with a non-profit with such a great and necessary mission. I understand we live in a challenging time and our world is changing constantly; so I'd like to help in any manner that Hugaroo deems appropriate.
I learned about Hugaroo through Tory Robertson-Susac and became a volunteer for the holiday season. I enjoyed being involved with a non-profit with such a great and necessary mission. I understand we live in a challenging time and our world is changing constantly; so I'd like to help in any manner that Hugaroo deems appropriate.
Annmarie Mancusi: Board Member
A silent hug means a thousand words.
A silent hug means a thousand words.
Kathy Heinz: Board Member
I love helping people! Hugaroo enables me to fulfill my desire to make a difference in the life of children.
I love helping people! Hugaroo enables me to fulfill my desire to make a difference in the life of children.
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".
Matthew Emmer: Director of Communications
Hugaroo is one of those minimalist charities with a maximum impact. Every donation goes directly into the arms of a child who is in desperate need of a little comfort in their lives. The simple concept resonated deeply with me and I knew I wanted to help in any way that I could. I'm fortunate to be able to work alongside some amazing people doing some incredible things to make the world a little better, one hug at a time.
Hugaroo is one of those minimalist charities with a maximum impact. Every donation goes directly into the arms of a child who is in desperate need of a little comfort in their lives. The simple concept resonated deeply with me and I knew I wanted to help in any way that I could. I'm fortunate to be able to work alongside some amazing people doing some incredible things to make the world a little better, one hug at a time.