HUGS Earns $$ To Help Siblings

Help, Understanding & Group Support (HUGS) received $93,000 in donations from local and national foundations, organizations and companies in December and January alone, the nonprofit agency announced recently.

“This past year, HUGS helped more families than ever before,” said executive director Joan Naguwa. “We have more than doubled our hospital outreach and started a new program within hospitals.”

Based in Kaimuki, HUGS assists seriously ill children and their families in Hawaii with free outreach services. The funds will be used to support its SibShop Workshop, which helps siblings of the ailing keiki to bond and have fun together in local hospitals, as well as to understand the illnesses that afflict their brothers and sisters.

The money also will help expand HUGS’ existing programs – Hospital Visitation, Respite and Peer Support group activities.