What Lowcrawl Hugs (nonprofit) does for Marines on family day who don’t have visitors - MCRD San Diego, CA
John and Angie Noveras - founders of Lowcrawl Hugs Limited
**Disclaimer ** I am not affiliated or contracted by the Military/MCRD. By hiring me prior to your event, I am your guest and there to capture your family for personal use. One or more person in every photo has an active photo release to Morning Owl Fine Art Photography or is a general overview photo that has been contracted to be taken for personal use.
I messaged John Noveras the other week after seeing his posts in the MCRD Families and Friends group about the Lowcrawl Hugs Limited and free mom hugs! I LOVED that he and his wife, Angie, decided to start doing this out of the kindness of their hearts.
They drive from Yuma, AZ (my hometown!!!) and then give free hugs, pizza, drinks, donuts, use phone chargers, and many other things to any Marine that is without visitors on family day as a way to ensure no Marine is left alone on such a momentous day. As a sailor who didn’t have any family at my graduation 8 years ago, this really hit home for me. I decided to go to Delta’s family day, today, to meet John and Angie. I am so glad I did!
I got the warm welcome I wish I would have had when I graduated from Bootcamp. Interestingly enough, John also did not have visitors on his family day, 30 years ago, when he graduated from MCRD.
Needless to say, this warms both of our hearts so much!!! Please enjoy some of the photos I took today while I ate pizza and helped round up recruits that were family-less.
My mom “Lowcrawl Hug” with Angie - thanks to their son for the photo!
If you would like to donate to Lowcrawl hugs, please do so here!


This November, I joined twelve other veterans right here in East County San Diego to receive a Quilt of Valor during a special luncheon at Foothills United Methodist Church in La Mesa. I will share with you what the Quilts of Valor Foundation is, how I have personally been “touched by war,” the story of my shipmate whose death changed my path, and how I now get to serve other military families; by telling their stories through photography and journaling.