SFP Editor: What is Hugs across America?
Jay Krasnow: Hugs Across America Inc. is a nondenominational, not for profit charitable organization providing teddy bears, curricular materials, and messages of care to lessen the fear and anxiety experienced by children in crisis. "Hugs" has created a national network of regional response centers, or chapters, throughout the country. Each chapter is responsible to its local area with "teddies at the ready" responding to circumstances of personal tragedy, as well as natural or national disasters.

The Washington Chapter of "Hugs" is one of approximately 150 chapters across the U.S. that respond to the needs of kids in crisis by distributing teddy bears to them. I coordinate the Washington Chapter of "Hugs".

SFP Editor: How did you get involved with this cause?
Jay Krasnow: I had planned an "evening of arts" for kids with cancer. The idea behind the event would be to bring visual and performing artists to these kids for music, poetry, story telling, and other forms of the arts. My hope for the event was to bring inner peace to these kids through the arts. As I sought sponsors for this event I sought a corporate donation for a large stuffed animal -- a cat. Hugs got in touch with me and offered a large teddy bear instead. I was so impressed with Hugs that I shifted my gears towards Hugs. I'm still interested in bringing the arts to kids with cancer.

On Christmas Eve 2007, the Washington chapter of Hugs delivered 50 teddy bears to Georgetown University Hospital's Pediatric Oncology and Pediatric ICU units.

SFP Editor: What are your goals for 2008 for Hugs Across America?
Jay Krasnow: First, we're going to continue having more teddy bear stuffing events. Teddy bear stuffing events are where the community comes together to, well, stuff teddy bears, and put messages of care on them for kids who need them -- victims of burns, kids who are sick, and victims of abuse. I'm planning to have another one of these events in late January, though the details have not yet been set.

During these events, participants have opportunities to give donations of $50, $100, or more -- or even small donations. They also have the opportunity to buy Hugs products, such as teddy bear lolly pops, Hugs pins, and Hugs bracelets.

Donations may also be given by mail. Checks may be paid to the order of "Hugs Across America" and can be mailed to:
Hugs Across America
c/o Jay D. Krasnow
3835 9th Street N.
#507E
Arlington, VA 22203

In addition to my own events, other organizations are already planning Hugs events for early 2008. A local bat mitzvah girl has asked guests to give donations to Hugs instead of giving her gifts. In addition, brothers at a local DC area fraternity are planning a stationary bike-a-thon to raise money for Hugs in early 2008. Other ideas for Hugs events are bake sales and car washes.

In addition to teddy bears, in 2008 I'd like to bring the arts to kids in crisis, like I originally planned. Since I'm an artist myself, I have contacts in the community.

SFP Editor: What is a teddy bear stuffing event and who benefits?
Jay Krasnow: It's really simple, a group of people from the community get take soft puffy material and stuff teddy bears with them. Some teddy bears are already stuffed. So for those teddy bears, we just write messages of care like "I love you beary, beary much" on them.

The kids who are sick or, otherwise in crisis benefit from the teddy bears. To learn more about the local chapter of Hugs, please visit our social network sites.

How do get the ball rolling on having a Hugs event?

You can contact me at krasnowj@georgetown.edu to tell me about your Hugs event idea. You can also contact us on our social network Websites using the following links.