Hugs from Hunter Foundation hosts holiday party in Marsh Landing

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The Hugs from Hunter Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded in memory of Hunter Hodges, held its first holiday party Dec. 2 at The Fowler Estate in Marsh Landing.

Festivities included beer, wine and cocktails, live music, a silent auction and a special message from a guest speaker. The nonprofit ultimately sold 150 tickets and presented Nemours Children’s Specialty Care with a $50,000 check to support its Patient Family Support Fund and Mental Health Fund.

Hugs from Hunter started after three boys, Matthew, Michael and Hunter Hodges, were each diagnosed with the same rare disorder known as Dyskeratosis - a genetic form of bone marrow failure. There have been less than 30 known cases in the world, said the nonprofit.

While recovering from a bone marrow transplant donated from a baby girl at age14, Hunter began to raise money for causes that mattered to him. At 15, Hunter Jay Hodges passed away, but his legacy continued with the Hugs from Hunter Foundation. The nonprofit’s goal is to finish what Hunter started: alleviate the financial burden for those who struggle with paying for medical necessities and donate to charitable causes in the community.

For more information on Hugs from Hunter, visit www.facebook.com/hugsfromhunter2017.