MCCRACKEN COUNTY, KY — Saturday's 14th Annual Patriot Run Bike Ride served as a good time on the road for many bikers and as a fundraiser for the Hugs Project of Western Kentucky.
It's the second largest bike ride in western Kentucky, and this time, 209 people supported the event by purchasing tickets, and 137 bikers completed the ride.
Since the organization began in 2007, President Gayron Ferguson said more than 61,000 packages have been sent to over 20,000 service members who don't usually receive mail from home.
"I've had guys deployed as many as nine tours before they ever got their first letter from home, and that was from us," said Ferguson.
Ferguson said each package costs about $50, and they send out between 100 and 120 each month. Events like the Patriot Run help to bring in funding since they run solely on donations and volunteers.
Still, prices have gone up. Ferguson said the organization now must raise 30-40% more funds than they used to complete the job.
"When you're talking about a small group like we've got, that's a lot of money, you know, we don't have big corporate donors or nothing like that; we've got a few churches that donate to us monthly; we've got a few individuals that donate to us monthly, but most of it is done on just fundraisers like this," said Ferguson.
Though it's a lot of work, Ferguson knows how much it means to the service members being helped.
Ferguson started the organization in 2007 after his son Christopher, who served in the Marine Corps, asked him to send care packages to two friends who didn't receive mail from home. Ferguson said he didn't know the project would grow as large-scale as it has become, but he's thrilled to see its impact on those serving.
"We've had two guys now, one in 2012 and one in 2020, who did not commit suicide simply because somebody cared about them. That little something kept them from going over the edge, and if two said it, how many actually felt it but didn't put it in writing?" said Ferguson. "The very first time that I got the letter, I sat at my desk and just boohooed like a little girl with a skinned knee. I never understood the depth of what we were doing until I got that letter," said Ferguson.
Jeff Curd served at the Kabul Military Training Centre in Afghanistan and two times in Iraq. He recalled getting a care package from the Hugs Project. He said he was tickled to receive it, but he was even happier for those he was serving with because they were also given packages.
Gayron Ferguson
"You know, they- they miss their families a lot. They're not, you know, they're not used to being away from their families for that long, and, you know, it's hard on them," said Jeff Curd, a Veteran. "and it's also hard because you go to these countries that're dirt poor and you're around people that have absolutely nothing, you know, and it- you kinda feel bad about that too... It's nice to know that there's people back there that are thinking about ya. Especially a stranger, you know?" said Curd. "For someone anonymous to be trying to take care of you it's kind of a different feeling, a nice feeling."
Hugs Project packages include magazines, personal hygiene items, snacks, and cards or letters. Those who want to get involved with the organization can visit their Facebook page by clicking here or here to go to their website. The organization can be reached at 270-898-4464 as well.
On the third Monday of each month, members gather to Pack boxes from 9:30 a.m. until noon. However, Ferguson said those unavailable during that time should call, and he could help work out another time to volunteer.
