Thank you!

5/25/17 Our “Spring in Bloom” fundraising event was a wonderful success and we are grateful for all who attended and/or made financial donations to assist in continuing the work of Gently Hugged. A video review of the first 5 years of Gently Hugged operations can be seen on YouTube

Currently, over 2200 babies have been clothed and provided warmth during their vulnerable first year. We appreciate the continued backing of the community as we move forward.

Gently Hugged is Turning 5!

1/18/2017 Five years ago, on February 18, 2012, Gently Hugged officially received nonprofit status from the State of California and started collecting donated gently used and new clothing and blankets for babies in need.

It has been an exciting road, and because of many generous contributions and much encouragement, more than 2000 babies in San Diego County have been clothed and provided warmth for their entire first year. Also, the moms and families of these newborns have felt the love and caring of the community and were given hope for the future.

Gently Hugged continues to grow and to expand the distribution of packages to social workers and nurses at hospitals and agencies in additional regions of San Diego County. We are grateful to all our generous donors and value your continued support!

Holiday ​Greetings

12/16/2016 Dear Friends of Gently Hugged,
In this holiday season Gently Hugged is very grateful for your interest and support. You are the reason for the success of the organization and are what has made it possible for us to clothe well over 500 babies in need over the past year.

Because of your kindness and compassion, social service agencies know they can count on Gently Hugged to clothe the very poorest babies born in San Diego County. Your generous spirit can help us move forward to begin serving vulnerable newborns in more areas of San Diego County. Please consider Gently Hugged in end of year decisions regarding your charitable giving.

Thank you!

August Update

9/1/2016 Things are progressing very well and much more efficiently in our expanded facility at the Bernardo Winery. The recent Open House event was a wonderful success. At the event, Gently Hugged was honored with a proclamation from our District 5 City Councilman Mark Kersey, who declared August 28, 2016, “Gently Hugged Day” in the City of San Diego. A framed certificate signed by the Mayor of San Diego and each City Councilmember was presented to mark the occasion. What a wonderful honor!

An Opportunity Drawing and “Grab & Go” Gift Card board raised some needed funds to help Gently Hugged clothe more babies in need. Thank you to a loyal and generous community for your support!​

July Update and Open House

7/12/2016 We are enjoying the increased space in our new office and are feeling much more efficient now that our operations are conducted from one location. We are working to utilize our wonderful volunteers more effectively and to serving more families in need.

Gently Hugged is grateful for the support of the Bernardo Winery and a very charitable community in helping the organization take this important step forward. Please visit us at our Open House on Sunday, August 28 from 1:00 to 4:00. We would love to see you there!

Expansion

3/27/2016 Gently Hugged has acquired additional office space in the building we are currently occupying at the Bernardo Winery. This step will allow us to process donated clothing, blankets, and supplies, and also prepare packages for distribution from one location. It is an exciting opportunity that will require even more support from the community to help cover additional costs and enable us to serve more infants in need. Donations can be easily made by clicking on the "How to Give" tab. Thank you so much for your participation in helping to clothe infants in need.

New Year Update

1/1/2016 We at Gently Hugged are very proud that in 2015 alone over 500 newborns have been provided with sufficient clothing for their first year along with blankets, books, and assorted handmade items that add up to a combined estimated value of over $120,000.

Since our start in 2012, Gently Hugged has collected over 20,000 pounds of usable donated baby clothing and purchased almost $20,000 worth of new clothing, books, and supplies required to complete the packages for infants. In all, 1,486 newborn babies in need have been helped.

"From the Heart" Event

10/5/2015 The beautiful Bernardo Winery venue was generously donated to host our second annual Gently Hugged fundraiser on September 18. It was a fun and lively evening that included dinner, silent and live auctions, and raffle drawings all guided by our consummate emcee “Consumer Bob” Hansen. Proceeds from the occasion will enable us to sustain and expand our operations for another year. Thank you to all who attended, volunteered, and supported this event!

At the present time we are in need of baby girl clothing along with 9 and 12 month sizes for both genders. Please contact us if you have ideas for bin placements, clothing drives, or would like to host a baby shower with friends or club members to benefit babies in need. We appreciate the overwhelming support from our warm-hearted community of helpers.