By Renee Worthing 

Staff Writer

When Nancy Kelley’s son Capt. Christopher Cash was killed in Iraq in 2004, the Run for Cash Memorial 5K run in Old Orchard Beach was created in his memory. But, his mother, of Old Orchard Beach, decided last August to become more active and offer a positive outlet for soldiers and their families. 

“A year ago, I came to terms that I needed to do a support group for wives, mothers and friends of soldiers over seas,” she said.

“Hugs of Love – Remember Our Troops” was created, a group that meets twice a month to assemble care packages containing cards, letters and “surprises” for men and women serving in the military. She said every holiday is celebrated with a box of goodies sent to soldiers.

“We even made Super Bowl boxes last year,” she said. “Those were a big hit.” 

Kelley said during the first year, 120 care packages were sent to 47 National Guard soldiers and Iraqi children.

She said a core group five to nine women meet regularly, but Kelley said anyone who is interested doesn’t have to attend all of the meetings to be a part of “Hugs of Love.” 

“About 24 women drop off items at my house on a regular basis,” Kelley said. 

She said some involved are women whose husbands were killed in a previous war, but who find comfort in helping other soldiers.

Homemade cards and letters from school children from as far away as Rhode Island and North Carolina are included in the packages, as well as cards from Saco and Biddeford school students.

Kelley said soldiers appreciate the boxes from home and some soldier’s participate in the Run for Cash Memorial 5K race when they come home from the war.

“We have the memorial run one day a year, but this [Hugs of Love] is something we get to do twice a month,” Nancy Kelley said.

She said a complete unit in Iraq was adopted last year, but soldiers needs have changed during the past few years. When first deployed at the beginning of the war, soldiers didn’t have ready access to food, toiletries or other comforts of home. However, many bases now have post exchanges where soldiers can buy needed items. Phone banks are also available, enabling soldiers to call home for free and some bases offer Internet service.

Due to the change in soldier’s needs, Hugs of Love is branching out to the community and local veterans, she said. 

“During the meetings, we either put care packages together or talk about our soldiers,” Kelley said. “We plan if we want to be in a parade and discuss what we want to do like visit the [Scarborough Veteran’s] home.”

Kelley said it was important for her to turn the loss of her son into something positive. 

“It’s been a wonderful, uplifting support group,” she said. 

Hugs of Love meets the first and third Monday of each month from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the home of Nancy and Bob Kelley. For more information, call 934-2360.