OK I am on board too!  Now if all the interuptions in the internet here in the campground didn't screw me up the links should be in MY signature too!  Fingers are crossed! 

OK Janet you can count on me! 

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT!  Here is the email I got today from our tiny but MIGHTY Elkhart HUGS project and the best cheerleader for all of this (plus the one responsible for getting us into the the Pepsi Refresh in the first place!)

I think it is something you all need to read too for sharing her thanks!

Dearest "HUGGERS" ~
 
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU!!!!!
 
What a ride these last few months have been!  As of 12:01 this morning, 1/1/11, the ELKHART HUGS PROJECT was a "finalist" in the PEPSI Refresh Everything contest.  What does this mean?  As far as we know.......WE WON!!!     
 
In the next few days (due to the holidays), Pepsi will send me a message officially stating that HUGS is a "finalist" (finished in the TOP TEN).....we must then submit necessary paperwork which will then be reviewed, confirmed and then we will officially be announced as a "grant recipient" for December.  YAHOO!!!!!
 
I cannot find words to say all my heart feels....you have been amazing.  You stuck with us and survived my daily barrage into your email box.  You took time (sometimes hours) to vote and leave comments.  You helped us make "Pepsi friends" who brought us votes. You told your friends and even complete strangers about our cause.  Some of you learned how to text for the first time.  Many of you now know what "FB" stands for and have your own account!  (Facebook)  Some of you voted in a ROCC church service or at a high school basketball game.  Some of you withheld Thanksgiving and Christmas meals until family members had voted!      But ALL OF YOU HELPED MAKE A DIFFERENCE - AND THAT DIFFERENCE WILL NOW SUPPORT AMERICA'S FINEST OVERSEAS, FIGHTING FOR EACH OF US - OUR U.S. TROOPS!
 
From the bottom of my heart, Thank you.  May God bless each of you and your families as we enter 2011.  Whatever you face this year, look it straight in the face and believe.....Miracles do happen!!
 
Nancy Mast
Elkhart HUGS
 
 

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL MY NEW FRIENDS ON THIS FORUM!   good news:  May the year 2011 bring nothing but wonderful things to all on here! 

STILL #5 this morning!  BUT it is the last day so WE MUST GET OUR IMPORTANT VOTES IN!  Yesterday I couldn't get the Facebook one to go through!  FINALLY in the evening I got it to work!  Persistence for sure!  PLEASE don't forget!  tomorrow is too late.

Hope everyone has a safe New Year's eve!  Remember NO DRINKING AND DRIVING!

Only 2 days left and this morning found we are down to #5!!!!!   YIKES!  Just don't get it!   HELP HELP HELP!

Donna this story is VERY interesting!  We see those stinkers alot around here,  Most of the campers and some park models have those rubber roofs, wonder if that attracts them?  Anyway I didn't know they could be so destructive.   It is good they clean up the "road kill" but to go after cars and roofs?  GEEZE!  No wonder people don't like them!   

Thanks Janet you are so helpful and good at reminding me!!!!

YES YES YES $$$$ IS ALWAYS NEEDED!  The donations ARE tax deductible too.   Here is the addy

Hugs Project
C/O River Oaks Community Church
58020 County Road #115
Goshen, IN   46526

Rally the "troops"!  Only 3 days left and we are back down to #4!  NEED TO KEEP THE VOTES COMING EVERY DAY!!  I know you faithfuls are doing just that and I thank you    from the bottom of my heart!  I just read an email with thank you's in there from Troops who are receiving packages from the BIG main division in OK.  Karen Stark is the founder and she has been so impressed with our little group in Elkhart.  There are Soldiers over there with next to no family or some with family that just can't afford to send things their way!  This project helps lift their spirits up and they find out there are people out there (strangers to them) who care and are thinking of them and praying for their safe return!  Warms a persons heart to know there are people out there like these HUGS people!  I feel honored to know some of them and that the FOUNDER even emails me!     She and her hubby Ray are HUGE supporters of all our Military and as the Mom of a Sailor it warms my heart to know people out there appreciate what he has to sacrifice. 
Ok, internet has held up this long, wonder if it will stay connected long enough to post this!  LOL!  Have a great day and stay safe and warm all of you!

I am doing the Happy dance  this morning!  WE ARE BACK UP TO #3!!!!!  HOORAY!  ONLY 5 days left to vote so keep them coming you all are a wonderful help!  THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!   

It is sunny here but chilly! I know "be quiet!"  But hearing your snow reports I hope all of you are careful up there and make sure you have extra goodies and blankets in your cars.  Stay safe and warm! 

I am adding my wishes for all on here to have the BEST and Merriest Christmas  and SAFEST New Year! 
I have lurked here for YEARS but this year have really worked at getting on here more and love the support and humor here!  Thank you for this great forum!
Hope you enjoy just one of the pictures from our enthusiastic "campground" in Florida!

WOW!  I bet there was a territorial battle going on! I think I would be worried about those two hurting eachother! 
 Two days ago as we were leaving to go fishing, I heard this "squawkie" noise and looked out the truck window and UP and there was a pair soaring over head!  We so rarely see them in our hometown so being able to see them here in Florida is such a wonderful treat!  There also is an osprey nest right by our fishing bridge!  Intend to do some picture taking when I get tired of feeding the fish! 

PLEASE EVERYONE KEEP THE VOTES COMING!  Time is getting short and we just can't slip anymore.  With Christmas just around the corner, please don't get so busy you forget to get your daily votes in.  Only takes a minute.

We all thank you so much for all the votes you are getting in for us!

Have a GREAT week and stay safe and warm!

They had the pictures of those lighthouses down here on the news in Florida!  Just makes me so happy to be down here without that stuff!