SHOREWOOD — When Minooka High math teacher and boys junior high wrestling coach Mike Assaf, who is battling pancreatic cancer, was offered one wish from the charitable organization HUGS, he asked to have his home decorated for the holidays. He wasn't sure how it would otherwise get done this year.

Assaf and his wife, Anna, have four children under the age of 7, including a 2-month-old.
That’s all it took for HUGS members to begin spreading the word through their e-mail chain and lining up people to help the family.

HUGS board member Laura Charland, whose son wrestled for coach Assaf before high school, contacted his former teammates. A huge group of over 60 former students and athletes all wanted to help.