BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Bentonville-based non-profit Hugs From Friends has announced that it will be sending Beanie Babies and pieces of art to children in Ukraine experiencing war.
The organization is starting "Project 1000 Hugs," which "will send up to 1,000 Beanie Babies and 1,000 pieces of art to children and families in Ukraine that are receiving care to overcome the trauma of war."
According to the organization's website, Hugs From Friends was founded in 2022 to encourage children in the United States to create art to support Ukrainian children and families impacted by the war. Since its creation, it has partnered with community members, local schools and other local nonprofits. It also collaborates with humanitarian centers in Ukraine.
For this project, Hugs From Friends is partnering with Voices of Children, a Ukrainian NGO.
A release from the nonprofit says that a member of the Northwest Arkansas community donated their Beanie Baby collection in order to make the project possible. Now, Hugs From Friends is looking for more community help.
"We invite schools, community organizations and individuals to participate by creating artwork to help us reach our goal of 1,000 pieces," a release said. "We are happy to work with each organization to decide how they want to contribute to the project. We provide Artwork Guidelines, and the partner organization will need to provide standard size paper (8.5 x 11), and art supplies. Hugs From Friends will package and ship the art to Ukraine."
“We are at the two-year anniversary since Russia’s full-scale invasion began and there are approximately 10,000 children living near the front lines every day. Throughout this horrific war children have been displaced, kidnapped and have been forced to grow up in a war zone. This is a great opportunity for the Northwest Arkansas community to show the children of Ukraine that they have not been forgotten,” said Trevor Dane, Co-Founder of Hugs From Friends.
The Arkansas Arts Academy is also participating in the project.
“Arkansas Arts Academy (AAA) is honored to be a school partner with Hugs from Friends. As an educational institution it is our mission to provide a safe instructional environment to enhance learning and prepare students to become successful members of society as well as responsible global citizens," the release said.
"AAA has pledged to be an active sponsor for “Project 1000 Hugs”. Together we will offer collaborative support, share love through works of art, and promote the importance of universal peace to create a safe and benevolent world for all. We invite our greater community to join us in this humanitarian initiative," said Aaron Jones, Director of Arts Integration and Museum Partnerships at AAA.
Anyone interested in getting involved can contact info@hugsfromfriends.org.
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