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.