Co-founders of HUGS FOR SOLDIERS, INC., Kathy Orcutt and Angie Doerlich, have been supporting our troops for five years now and took the step of incorporating their joint efforts of caring for our Soldiers and their families. When asked why they do this, their response has always been, "Many Americans feel as we do and want to show their support, love and respect for our military. Our citizens want to reach out and make a difference in the lives of our troops and their families who give unselfishly. We simply try to provide the avenue to make this happen."

HUGS FOR SOLDIERS originates from the Support Our Troops program founded by Angie at the Duluth First United Methodist Church in February 2003. As our Soldiers began deploying overseas, the military brat within her saw a need to support the troops serving in harm’s way. After visiting with the Duluth Army Recruiting Office to see what could be done, Sergeant Long called her days later with contact names and addresses of the 2-69 Armor Battalion who had just deployed to the Middle East from Fort Benning, GA. Sergeant Long had previously been attached to the 2-69 AR of the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, and was able to assist in making suggestions for care packages to be shipped to Iraq.

With the help of Linda Bailey, at the Duluth First United Methodist Church, Angie started sending care packages, cards and letters of encouragement to 800 Soldiers. Angie was soon joined by Kathy Orcutt and, by their combined efforts, along with that of many supporters, the program grew to what it is today. They have had the privilege of working closely with Commanders, Chaplains, and Family Readiness Groups to make sure the Soldiers and their families are taken care of during deployments.

In June of 2004, Kathy and her family moved to Vonore, Tennessee, where she implemented the Support Our Troops program in her community and the surrounding communities of Maryville and Knoxville. Tennessee is known as the "Volunteer State" and rightfully so! Many volunteers stepped up to the plate and joined in with the Duluth community when the 2-69 AR Soldiers answered the call to duty again in 2005 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III.

During this second deployment, over 200 individual Soldiers were adopted and cared for by families, individuals, school classes and church groups. More than 1,000 Soldiers were sent HUGS through our large group projects, such as Christmas for a Soldier.

Focus was put on the Soldiers' families as well. Over 150 spouses and children were sponsored by our caring supporters so they could travel to be a part of Duluth Fall Festival's parade and other festivities. At least 70 military families received the blessing and thanks from those who cared by supporting our Thanksgiving and Christmas Food Drives.

Upon the return home of these Soldiers, Angie and Kathy, along with the dedicated supporters of our troops, turned their focus to other Soldiers in need of care. We were able to reach out to the following groups during 2006:

Army 9th Div MiTT

718th Engineer Company

3d BN, 2d Marines, Company I

In 2007, our country called upon our brave heroes of the 3rd Brigade at Fort Benning to deploy a third time to Iraq. This Brigade of Soldiers consists of 3,800 men and women from all walks of life ... from every state in this great land of ours ... and from many caring communities similar to those of Duluth, Vonore and Maryville. Our hearts will be there with them and their families again.

Please take a few minutes and browse through our website to learn how you can start supporting our troops as well. We ask that you consider telling your friends, families, co-workers, schools, churches, neighborhood groups and businesses to look at our website and see how they, too, can be a part of this wondrous opportunity to give something back to our American Soldiers who so freely give to us!