10th Anniversary Cocktail Party

• Wednesday, October 05, 2011

Inspired by the events of September 11, 2001, Hugs Across America is having its 10th Anniversary Cocktail Party fundraiser to continue bringing hope to children in crisis everywhere. Join us for a buffet dinner, open wine bar and our always popular auctions and raffles. This year we are honoring Father Kevin Smith and Constance Wang.  Entertainment by the Blue Pages. Bring your family, neighbors and friends for a fun-filled evening.

Music for Comfort Concert

• Sunday, July 25, 2010

Bring your friends for an evening of fun on August 7th, 2010.  Music for Comfort Concert to benefit Hugs Across America featuring two very talented folk musicians!

Event: Music for Comfort Concert (to benefit Hugs Across America)

Venue: Angels & Kings (500 East 11th St, New York, NY).  21+.  Cash bar.  $10 suggested donation.

Date: Saturday, August 7th

Doors: 7:00pm (concert is 7:00-9:00pm).  Bella Ruse opening.  Sasha Papernik headlining.

Read more about the two two bands:

Sasha Papernik (headliner)

Classically trained and winner of national and international piano competitions since 1991, Sasha Papernik started writing songs as a means of reaching a broader audience, and eventually hit upon a style all her own, where raucous, virtuosic piano riffs meet smooth, lovely melodies. The intelligent, introspective lyrics are the icing on the cake. Initially crafted as solo-piano pieces, the songs developed a driving energy after some fellow conservatory musicians became Sasha’s first touring band. She built her chops the time-honored way: by playing in every tri-state area venue she could log onto her schedule, learning to give hushed atmospherics to an attentive audience and hurl blistering soul-grabbers at those who were on their twelfth beer.

"...it's Claremont’s slow burners that stand out. “Walker Evans” rolls like a journey through the Depression-era documentarian’s photographs—heartbreaking scenes whose voices “rise” and “roar” beneath a surface quieted by time; here vivid and clear once more. The soul-stirring “Okay” alternates between fragile piano tiptoeing and a restless amble, creating a heartbreaking narrative on love and loss..."

Stephen B. Griggs – MuzikReviews.com Contributor

Bella Ruse

In the last year, minimalist folk duo Bella Ruse have proven themselves to be a talented, hardworking band, going on three national tours and recording three EPs. They have also fully funded their upcoming full length album via Kickstarter.com with the generous support of their fans all across the country. Their simple but engagingly intimate show has impressed audiences from their hometown of Minneapolis to Seattle to Hollywood, and their songs Push On and Dark Horse have received radio and podcast play worldwide. After only a year together, band members Kay and Joseph are poised to make a big impact on the national scene.

This duo makes nothing short of stunningly beautiful minimal rock. It's almost impossible not to be charmed by singer Kay Gillette's warm, intimate vocals.

-Pete Kearns, Snobsmusic.net

Hugs Picnic, Saturday, June 19th, 2010

• Monday, June 14, 2010

Join your friends of Hugs Across America at our summer picnic Saturday, June 19th, 2010. Come, rain or shine, to Plandome Road near Northern Blvd. for fun, food, crafts, and plenty of activities for the little ones.

Bring family, friends and neighbors for this fun-filled fundraiser.

Teddy Bear Picnic Benefits Hugs Across America

• Tuesday, August 18, 2009

This summer began with a bright and shiny day in June that was just perfect for lots of Manhasset, NY youngsters to enjoy the third annual Teddy Bear Picnic benefit for Hugs Across America.  There were huge teddies and a blown up castle bounce, teddy crafts, games, music and dancing, lots of pizza and stuffing teddies for children in crisis situations both locally and around the country.   Hugs Across America locally provides teddies to North Shore Hospital Pediatrics, LI Jewish Ronald Mac Donald House, The Gift of Life, as well as to our own police, fire departments and EMT's. These first responders could not be more thrilled than to have a teddy bear when they come across a child in a traumatic situation.They know that the hugs of a teddy eases the anxiety or fear experienced by a child in a time of crisis.  

It is always great to see so many of our youngsters having fun while helping those less fortunate.  Thanks to those who joined us and if you missed it this year look for us in early June next year!