Do you need a hug?
Ali Edelblum
Issue date: 11/27/06 Section: Entertainment
Free hugs - how can you ever say no to a hug on a bad day? Jason Hunter, the founder of Free Hugs, believed that giving hugs to strangers can give people hope and faith that there is still good in this world. In doing so, it has become a national sensation due to its oddity, creativity and compassion.
After his mother passed away in 2001, Hunter contemplated how to give back happiness. The one thing to him that embodied love, hope, and faith was a hug. As he sat at her funeral, he listened to all the speakers talk about his mother, saying how she made them all them feel as if they mattered in the world, and how she always gave hugs. He thought about how the world could be such a better place by giving a smile or friendly words to others, no matter who they were, strangers or not. He wanted to encourage people and give out happiness with actions, hence the free hugs.
Holding a big sign with the letters spelling out FREE HUGS across it, he stood on the crowded streets of South Beach Florida, smiling. At first, he got a lot of strange looks from the people passing, but after a young woman embraced Hunter, with no questions as to what free hugs were, the ripple effect began, and Free Hugs has turned into a global movement.
FREE HUGS has moved all across the United States and now overseas. Many people are truly moved at what Hunter started and are bringing it into their communities.
"We all need one," as the slogan goes. Hunter and all who have joined in the free hugs movement are trying to brighten someone's day with a hug and make that person feel he or she matters.
After his mother passed away in 2001, Hunter contemplated how to give back happiness. The one thing to him that embodied love, hope, and faith was a hug. As he sat at her funeral, he listened to all the speakers talk about his mother, saying how she made them all them feel as if they mattered in the world, and how she always gave hugs. He thought about how the world could be such a better place by giving a smile or friendly words to others, no matter who they were, strangers or not. He wanted to encourage people and give out happiness with actions, hence the free hugs.
Holding a big sign with the letters spelling out FREE HUGS across it, he stood on the crowded streets of South Beach Florida, smiling. At first, he got a lot of strange looks from the people passing, but after a young woman embraced Hunter, with no questions as to what free hugs were, the ripple effect began, and Free Hugs has turned into a global movement.
FREE HUGS has moved all across the United States and now overseas. Many people are truly moved at what Hunter started and are bringing it into their communities.
"We all need one," as the slogan goes. Hunter and all who have joined in the free hugs movement are trying to brighten someone's day with a hug and make that person feel he or she matters.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Kristina
posted 1/30/08 @ 6:37 PM EST
I'm glad you wrote an article on the free hugs movement, alot of my friends thought that it was just something they did for that sick puppies video. I tried to explain but they didn't understand. (Continued…)
Kernita Miller
posted 4/10/08 @ 2:06 AM EST
I enjoy this article I'm glad this was written...I believe in free hugs there's tons of people I know who need alot of hugging...I give hugs all the time. (Continued…)
L
posted 7/23/08 @ 11:27 AM EST
I really wouldn't want strangers hugging me...creepy
Megan
posted 11/09/08 @ 5:38 PM EST
I have a friend who's into doing that sort of thing. I think it's a nice idea, but not such a smart one in today's day and age. Picture someone standing on a corner in NYC with a sign like that. (Continued…)
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