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ROYAL PALM BEACH — Peter and Jean Morris know the problem they’re trying to address is huge. And their charity is like a raindrop in the ocean, making tiny dents in the vastness of cancer and the dollars needed to fight it.

But to the patients they’ve helped, those raindrops, those small cash donations, were salve on the wounds that cancer inflicted to so much more than their physical health.

Tonia Rogers of NBC / WPTV Channel 5 interviews Founder, Jean Morris of Hugs and Kisses, Inc.

Tiffany Kenney visits Hugs and Kisses, Inc. in Royal Palm Beach, Florida – an organization run by a husband and wife team who manage student volunteers who raise money to pay urgent living expenses for cancer victims.

Students also get community service hours for school

I am a 48 year old mother of three beautiful girls. My husband Gary was diagnosed with leukemia in 2008. It was devastating news to me and the girls. The diagnosis was harsh, yet the prognosis was promising, so we kept our hopes up.

I remember that day I admitted Gary in the hospital for a 30-day induction of his first protocol of chemo-therapy. I was confused, anxious, and fearing for how I would take care of my family, home and bills.   Gary had always been the primary source of income.  I had been a stay at home Mom for 20 years.

Gary was put in remission and life went on as normal, until the following March 2009 when we got the devastating news of his relapse.  At that time, there was another 30 day induction which landed us in ICU, dialysis and many more complications.  

One day, I left the hospital wandering around to purchase necessities for Gary’s stay.  Almost as if it was meant to be, I ran across the Hugs and Kisses Center – a place where Palm Beach County residents go to support families like mine who battle cancer.

Once again my husband managed to overcome the treatment and the disease; we thought it was over.

It was during his second remission when we were asked if Gary would do a stem cell transplant to help keep him in remission.  The risk of the transplant was minimal considering the benefit. So, of course he jumped at the chance to prolong his life with his children. During the first stage of the transplant, we lost Gary.

It was devastating, the doctors were shocked and our family in disbelief.  His death on August 14, 2010 was a shock to us all.   But the harsh reality was the fate of me and my girls.   What was I to do? How would I get by?  No income!  A home! No vehicle!

My community stepped up to help us, including everyone who donates buttons, time or money to Hugs and Kisses, Inc.  They were able to help me by paying a month of my mortgage which was a lifesaver.  It’s been five months since my husband’s death.  We are still strongly emotionally and financially distraught – in ways I cannot begin to describe.   But, during some of our darkest moments, when the worrying was unbearable, we were able to get relief from Hugs and Kisses.

Button Bouquet from Shannon and Randy wedding

Special thanks to Ava Kate Photography for use of these images of Shannon and Randy at their wedding.  SEE IMAGES HERE

For this tax deductible donation, the bride received a bridal bouquet, 4 bridesmaids bouquets, 4 groomsmen boutonnieres, and a cake top for use in her wedding and as gifts for the wedding party.  How cool is that?

Volunteers at Hugs and Kisses, Inc. designed this wedding package to compliment the bride’s vision.  Traditional or eclectic designs are available to suit any occasion.

If you’re planning a wedding, we encourage you to discover how a donation to help cancer patients can also provide you with a beautiful, one-of-a-kind wedding package that will last FOREVER.

Just

 call us: 561-819-9471

Beginning with InkMart.com you can order the same brand name ink and toner items you usually order, and they will donate 5% of your order to Hugs and Kisses, Inc.

All you have to do is start at this link and order the same products you usually order, at the same rate you usually would.

Click here to register and see how much you'll save

Then bring your Califfornia Pizza Kitchen receipt dated August 3, 2010 to the Hugs and Kisses Center within 7 days and we’ll give you a Hugs and Kisses bracelet comliments of California Pizza Kitchen.

Post this on your social media sites so everyone in the area can join the party.

SEE YOU THERE!

Hugs and Kisses, Inc. held their Grand Opening of the new Hugs and Kisses Center on Friday, February 5th. The event kicked off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony by the Palms West Chamber of Commerce at 5:00 PM and was followed by standing-room-only attendance during a catered Open House until 8:00 PM.

Founders Peter Morris, Jean Morris, Evelyn Strunk surrounded by volunteers

Funds raised for Hugs and Kisses, Inc. cover living expenses for cancer patients in desperate financial need.  Students also qualify for scholarships based on their commitments to Hugs and Kisses.  And scholarships are also available for children of families affected by cancer.

“This is an exciting time for us, and we’re so happy that we can share this with the community at large,” said Jean Morris, founder of the Royal Palm Beach-based charity organization.

Hugs and Kisses raises donations to cover living expenses for cancer patients in desperate financial need. Teenagers volunteer and run all functions of the Center, which produces our own unique, trademarked bracelets that we give to our donors. They are also mentored in all parts of the business including accounting, finance, marketing, fulfillment, and website development, among others.

‘Right now, in your community, there are people who can survive their cancers – with existing technology – if they could afford to hold on,’ explained Hugs and Kisses Director Peter Morris.  ‘But if they can’t afford
to hold on, there’s always Hugs and Kisses.’

On hand to initiate the ceremony was Debi Leed, Palms West Chamber of Commerce Membership Director. ‘This is a great way to give support to our members, and to initiate them into the Central Palm Beach County community.’ Palms West Chamber of Commerce is a leadership organization which advocates for a healthy business environment, providing member services, benefits, education, and information for Wellington, Royal Palm Beach, Greenarcres, Loxahatchee Groves and The Acreage/Loxahatchee. Hugs and Kisses is also registered with HandsOn Network, which allows
volunteers to participate in the Give a Day, Get a Disney Day program, giving earning for volunteers a free day at Walt Disney World. Among other activities, The organization hosts ‘Parties with a Purpose’, where families or friends design and make Hugs and Kisses bracelets. Such is the kind of information prospective volunteers, their families and other community members heard at the open house event.

“If you’re interested, come in and see what we’re about,” Morris says. Those interested can attend in person at the location: 10131 Southern Boulevard in Royal Palm Beach, on the NW corner of Southern Boulevard and State Road 441.

*For more information, visit http://www.hugsandkissesinc.org.