Philadelphia Phillies Grant $40,000 to HUG Nonprofit for Adults with Disabilities

HUG Nonprofit Receives Major Grant

• 🎯 HUG (Help Us Gather), a Tampa Bay nonprofit dedicated to supporting adults with developmental disabilities, has been honored with a significant grant.
• 💰 The Philadelphia Phillies are donating $40,000 to HUG, recognizing them as a community hero.

The Impact of HUG

• 🤝 HUG provides a vital community for adults with disabilities, fostering connections and combating isolation.
• 💡 The organization was founded seven years ago by Robin Lai, inspired by her brother, and has grown into a supportive network.
• 🧩 For individuals like Drew, who is autistic, HUG offers a sense of belonging and a place to make friends, addressing struggles with social connection.

Addressing Social Isolation

• 🔍 Drew's mother, Rebecca, found HUG through a Google search when Drew was struggling to find friends, highlighting the need for such specialized support.
• 💬 Another parent shared that his son, despite being 20, felt isolated with his only friends being his father's older friends, underscoring the profound need for peer connections.

Future Events and Community

• ✨ The grant money will help fund HUG's monthly events, allowing more adults of all abilities to come together and be celebrated.
• 💖 HUG emphasizes the creation of a beautiful, supportive community where individuals can have fun and connect with others.