Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is Hugs from Home, Inc?
A. Hugs From Home is an internet based organization that brings adopters together with Service Members who are deployed overseas. Our mission is to provide the Service Men and Women who are risking their lives for our country with the much needed support and comfort of home that mail can bring. Neither our founders nor our "Huggers" receive pay or compensation in any form.

Q. Are you a nonprofit organization?
A. We are currently applying for our nonprofit status.

Q. How often are we required to write to our Service Members?
A. We require that you send a letter to your Service Member once a month, more often would be great!!!

Q. Why must I update you every time I mail my Service Member?
A. This is the only way we know that the Service Member is receiving mail. Unfortunately, we have people who sign up and do not follow through on their commitment. If we do not hear from you, we can only assume you are not writing and will readopt your Service Member.

Q. Why can't I receive more than 3 Service Members to write to?
A. Once we receive 3 consecutive updates from you, you may email us for more Service Members to write to.

Q. How much does it cost to mail a letter to my Service Member?
A. It costs only 41 cents, the price of a first class stamp. If you have many pages you may need an extra stamp. Use the same amount of postage as you would to mail a letter in the US.

Q. What should I write about?
A. You can write anything you would like for your Service Member to know about you. Some suggestions are to tell them about yourself and your family. You could tell them about a movie/tv show, a book you have just read, or a family vacation you took. Basically, anything at all you would like to share. Many Huggers write to them as though they have been best friends forever. Also, you could thank them for serving our country and let them know they are in your thoughts and prayers.

Q. What if my Service Member does not write me back?
A. We cannot guarantee that you will hear from your Service Member. Please remember that they are very busy and very often in combat situations or off on a mission. Please remember that even if you do not hear back from them, every letter or package means the world to your deployed Service Member. Hugs From Home was founded so that our Service Members are remembered at mail call, not so that we receive mail.

Q. Where does Hugs From Home get their Service Member info?
A. We have unit contacts in each unit we are adopting. They give us the names of the Service Members wishing to be adopted. Family and friends may also sign up a loved one and we have Service Members signing themselves up.

Q. How long after we join does it take before we receive our Service Member's info?
A. It usually takes between one to five business days, sometimes longer. Please be patient with us as we have many emails that we must answer everyday.

Q. Should I send stamps to my Service Member?
A. No, your Service Member has access to free mail.

Q. Can I use a PO Box to write a letter from?
A. Yes you can.

Q. How long does it take for my Service Member to get my letter/card/package?
A. Mail can take up to two weeks to get overseas.

Q. What items cannot be sent to my Service Member?
A. The following items cannot be sent...
*No Pork Products (including canned meat or other pork snacks, no ham)
*No Pornography (including magazines, movies, photographs)
*No Weapons
*No bulk religious items
*No money unless your service member is buying something to send back to you and you are paying for it.
*No alcohol or illegal drugs
*No prescription drugs or over the counter drugs that may contain alcohol (Nyquil)

Q. How can I let other people know about Hugs From Home?
A. Please give your family / friends / co-workers / etc our website at www.hugsfromhome.org.

Q. I still need help with a question or have a comment about Hugs From Home. Who do I write to?
A. Write to the administration at info@hugsfromhome.org.