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Local family grief author announces charity project

Jennifer Francis and her daughter Lauren read A Hug Through the Air while surrounded by a horde of Herbie the hedgehogs. The stuffed toys and books are being bundled and distributed to area hospitals to be given to children and families who have suffered devastating losses. (Submitted photo)

EAST LIVERPOOL — Jennifer (Hallam) Francis, author of A Hug Through the Air, recently announced a new charity initiative involving her children’s picture book, written following the death of her 22-month-old daughter Hailey in a 2011 car accident that also took the life of her husband Troy and in which Francis was seriously injured.

As a toddler, Hailey was often too busy to stop what she was doing to give her mother a hug. Instead, she would grasp her arms to her chest and point to the air. In the months following her family’s death, Francis searched for hope in her new life.

It was then she remembered her daughter’s practice of giving a hug through the air, and she decided to tell Hailey’s story. This is when A Hug Through the Air was born.

The children’s book has helped families across the country deal with grief, telling the story of a family whose connection transcends Heaven and Earth and offering a reminder that, even when we are separated, we can remain connected with a “hug through the air.”

The book is published and sold by the Warren Christian Apologetics Center, with all proceeds to benefit the Center. It has been sold nationwide.

“Since I lost Hailey, I have always wanted to find a way for her story to help others,” Francis said. “I wrote the book for my own healing, but also hoped others would find comfort in Hailey’s story.

Initially, I donated the book to families who were grieving, but that project seemed incomplete,” Francis said.

Now, she has started the Hailey Hugs Bundle Initiative, which provides new stuffed animals and a copy of A Hug Through the Air to families who have suffered a devastating loss, such as the loss of a child in any way or children who have lost a close family member.

The bundles will be distributed by hospitals.

“I am so thankful for so many who have donated towards the stuffed animals to make the project finally come full circle. I am thankful that we are able to offer these bundles to families at what is probably the darkest period of their life. It is comforting to know that my angel is able to offer a little bit of hope to grieving parents and children at the time they need it most,” Francis said.

She continues to raise money for the bundles, with all proceeds going toward buying the stuffed animals. Francis donates all copies of her book to complete the bundles.

As a part of her Hailey Hugs Initiative, Francis will be donating 350 Hailey Hugs Bundles to local hospitals for distribution to families suffering from loss.

She will deliver the bundles to Heritage Valley Sewickley and Heritage Valley Beaver and plans to also deliver bundles to Magee Women’s Heath Center in Pittsburgh and to Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh, as well as to Akron Children’s Hospital in Youngstown and Akron. Staff at the local Beaver-Area hospitals have already distributed some bundles to patients in need.

Patients and staff have been appreciative of the gift.

For more information, visit www.haileyhugs.com or www.facebook.com/ahugthroughtheair

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