Dana Point Women’s Club Sends Hugs to local Health Care Heroes

Dana Point Women’s Club (DPWC) members gathered on a chilly morning yesterday to gather bulk snacks, love notes and funds to support the Hugs for Heroes program. In addition to donating a car load of granola bars, nuts, beef jerky, drinks, crackers, fresh fruit and other goodies, members took the time to compose notes of support and appreciation to those who have borne the brunt of the Covid-19 pandemic – our frontline health care heroes. Next week, an entire shift of 106 covid unit workers at Mission Hospital Mission Viejo will enjoy a tasty meal prepared by Brio Tuscany Grille, courtesy of generous DPWC donations.

While most of us have been struggling with stay at home orders, virtual school and work environments, forgoing social events, restaurants and manicures, life has been much more challenging, heart wrenching and emotionally draining for those on the front lines. The Hugs for Heroes Program was started by local advocacy group, Capo Cares, in response to residents’ queries concerning how they could help. After several conversations with Mission Hospital Foundation staff, Hugs for Heroes was borne – a collaboration between Capo Cares, the City of Dana Point, participating restaurants and Capo Beach Church as fundraising facilitator.

Every dime donated is used to purchase restaurant meals from participating local restaurants, creating a win/win for the local economy. The participating Dana Point restaurants, Jon’s Fish Market, Chart House, Pepi’s Sports Bar & Grill, Subway, and Brio Tuscany Grille, have taken tremendous care in creating delicious individually packaged meals at discounted prices of $10 per meal. So far, 500 meals have sent hugs from Dana Point to grateful hospital workers at Mission Hospital Laguna Beach and Mission Viejo.

Unrefrigerated bulk snacks and “love notes” are dropped off daily at the Dana Point Community Center (34052 Del Obispo Street, Dana Point) by church groups, non-profits, and mostly, ordinary Dana Point residents. A Girl Scouts Daisy troop created an adorable decorated banner; a church group made individual notes with paper flowers and inspirational quotes; and many more simple and elaborate notes and heartfelt letters of gratitude have made their way to frontline workers – those who have borne the emotional and physical brunt of extraordinary efforts to heal and comfort, holding hands when loved ones cannot.

Thanks to the Dana Point Women’s Club, some well deserved “hugs” are on their way to very deserving local health care heroes. To donate, go to https://www.capobeachchurch.com/hugs-for-heroes/. For questions, contact hugsforheroesDP@gmail.com.