Valpo Softball “I Need a Hug” Program Teaming Up With
Barnes & Noble November 15th
Barnes & Noble November 15th
11-11-09 The “I Need a Hug” program, a partnership between the Valparaiso
softball team and the United Way of Porter County, is teaming up with book
retailer Barnes & Noble for a national fundraiser on Sunday, November 15th.
Ten percent of all net proceeds from purchases made that day in any Barnes &
Noble bookstore nationwide with this bar code will be donated to the “I Need
a Hug” program.
The “I Need a Hug” program was begun in 2004 by the Crusader softball team and
evolved into a partnership with the United Way of Porter County. The program
collects new stuffed animals and places them in area elementary schools to give comfort to children going through difficult times. In its six
years of existence, the program has grown exponentially and has placed many thousands of stuffed animals into local schools.
To help participate in the fundraiser, print out the bar code (please note that while the bar code reads Valparaiso High School Key Club,
proceeds will be going to the “I Need a Hug” program) and take it in to any Barnes and Noble nationwide on Sunday, November 15.
Present the bar code to your cashier prior to making your purchase to have 10% of the net proceeds from your purchase donated to the
program.
The Street Kids Softball organization will be partnering with Valporaiso
Softball this winter to bring the "I Need a Hug" program to the Michiana area,
said SKS spokesperson Courtney Jorgensen.
"We are looking forward to help spreading this wonderful program to a larger
level," Jorgensen said. "Our goal has always been to make an impact and
hopefully change lives of the people around us. By partnering with Valporaiso
Softball and furthering their program that Coach Schneider intiated, we feel we can make an even bigger impact in Michiana."
Jorgensen said SKS will look to do a big promotion this winter, most likely in February.
Former SKS player Scott Goodwin is the hitting coach for Valporaiso University Softball and spread the word of Street Kids Care to head
coach Schneider, who encouraged K.C. Boldt, a member of the team, to contact SKS.
What is I Need a Hug?
Mission Statement:
The mission of the I Need a Hug program is to provide elementary school guidance counselors with stuffed animals that can be used as a
means to grant children comfort in times of need.
Background:
Sponsored by the United Way of Porter County and the Valparaiso Softball team, the I Need A Hug program was founded in 2003. The
partnership began based on Coach Schneider's belief that members of the team should be involved in the community, and not only give
back, but fill a true need that would leave a legacy behind after they graduate.
With their knowledge of the community, the United Way believed that working with the local schools would be the best fit. Since school
officials and counselors are no longer allowed to comfort a child with physical contact (due to the "No Touch" rule), the I Need A Hug
program was created to provide stuffed animals that could be used as a counseling tool and alternate method of comfort for children in crisis.
Growth & Success:
In its beginning stages, the program was implemented in the local, Porter County schools. After several years of success, the project was
able to expand to Lake & LaPorte Counties, and the city of Gary. I Need a Hug is currently a part of elementary schools throughout the
region, and is expected to continue growing. The project has been recognized by the State of Indiana, and is predicted to reach national
levels this year.
softball team and the United Way of Porter County, is teaming up with book
retailer Barnes & Noble for a national fundraiser on Sunday, November 15th.
Ten percent of all net proceeds from purchases made that day in any Barnes &
Noble bookstore nationwide with this bar code will be donated to the “I Need
a Hug” program.
The “I Need a Hug” program was begun in 2004 by the Crusader softball team and
evolved into a partnership with the United Way of Porter County. The program
collects new stuffed animals and places them in area elementary schools to give comfort to children going through difficult times. In its six
years of existence, the program has grown exponentially and has placed many thousands of stuffed animals into local schools.
To help participate in the fundraiser, print out the bar code (please note that while the bar code reads Valparaiso High School Key Club,
proceeds will be going to the “I Need a Hug” program) and take it in to any Barnes and Noble nationwide on Sunday, November 15.
Present the bar code to your cashier prior to making your purchase to have 10% of the net proceeds from your purchase donated to the
program.
The Street Kids Softball organization will be partnering with Valporaiso
Softball this winter to bring the "I Need a Hug" program to the Michiana area,
said SKS spokesperson Courtney Jorgensen.
"We are looking forward to help spreading this wonderful program to a larger
level," Jorgensen said. "Our goal has always been to make an impact and
hopefully change lives of the people around us. By partnering with Valporaiso
Softball and furthering their program that Coach Schneider intiated, we feel we can make an even bigger impact in Michiana."
Jorgensen said SKS will look to do a big promotion this winter, most likely in February.
Former SKS player Scott Goodwin is the hitting coach for Valporaiso University Softball and spread the word of Street Kids Care to head
coach Schneider, who encouraged K.C. Boldt, a member of the team, to contact SKS.
What is I Need a Hug?
Mission Statement:
The mission of the I Need a Hug program is to provide elementary school guidance counselors with stuffed animals that can be used as a
means to grant children comfort in times of need.
Background:
Sponsored by the United Way of Porter County and the Valparaiso Softball team, the I Need A Hug program was founded in 2003. The
partnership began based on Coach Schneider's belief that members of the team should be involved in the community, and not only give
back, but fill a true need that would leave a legacy behind after they graduate.
With their knowledge of the community, the United Way believed that working with the local schools would be the best fit. Since school
officials and counselors are no longer allowed to comfort a child with physical contact (due to the "No Touch" rule), the I Need A Hug
program was created to provide stuffed animals that could be used as a counseling tool and alternate method of comfort for children in crisis.
Growth & Success:
In its beginning stages, the program was implemented in the local, Porter County schools. After several years of success, the project was
able to expand to Lake & LaPorte Counties, and the city of Gary. I Need a Hug is currently a part of elementary schools throughout the
region, and is expected to continue growing. The project has been recognized by the State of Indiana, and is predicted to reach national
levels this year.
