By Cindy Himes

 

April is celebrated as the Month of the Military Child, emphasizing the vitally important role that children play in the armed forces community.  It is a time to honor military families and their children for the sacrifices they make on a daily basis and the challenges they face.

 

The Penguins Foundation and Penguins corporate partner 84 Lumber joined forces this month to support local military families in a variety of ways, including the Hug-A-Hero doll program.  84 Lumber also sponsored the team’s Military Appreciation Game on April 20 at PPG Paints Arena.

 

Hug-A-Hero dolls are custom stuffed plush dolls that have a picture (from boots to cap) of a military parent or family member who a child can hold close and remember fondly while their loved one is deployed.  The dolls are fully customized from fabric, logos, and tags.  The back of the doll features a camo design with the Penguins Foundation and 84 Lumber logos.

 

This month, the Penguins Foundation and 84 Lumber are donating dolls to 500 local military children.  Fans can give the gift of a Penguins Hug-A-Hero doll to our youngest fans by donating at www.pittsburghpenguinsfoundation.org … but time is running out so please consider making a donation today!

 

Local military families are encouraged to visit the Penguins Foundation website at https://www.pittsburghpenguinsfoundation.org/event/hug-hero-month-military-child/

to request one complimentary Hug-A-Hero!  Requests are being accepted through end-of-day April 30 with 500 random requests eligible to receive their own Hug-A-Hero, compliments of the Penguins Foundation and 84 Lumber.

 

Once a request is selected, the military family member will receive a code to redeem via the Hug-A-Hero website in May.

 

To date, the Penguins Foundation has raised over $1,120 for the Hug-A-Hero program.  Join the Penguins organization in supporting our military families and honoring the Month of the Military Child.