Oklahomans work to keep soldiers cool

By Jennifer Pierce, NEWS 9

As troops serving in Iraq are dealing with sweltering heat, Oklahomans are working to help keep them cool.

The Hugs Project is a group of men and women who donate their time to put together care packages for soldiers.  The project is best known for the Hugs, a tie that troops soak in water and wear around their necks to beat the heat. 

Sherri Wamego organized a sewing competition to help meet the high demand of the summer months.

"We need a day that we can that we can try to really turn out as many as we can to get to the troops," she said.

Wamego dubbed the competition the Hugs Olympics. The volunteers represent the different branches of the military and compete to make the most Hugs.

"The people that sew these sew these with love and so when we provide a note that says we're thinking of you," Wamego said. "It's just that much more from home."