Free Hugs has a humble and simple beginning...
Both Jason Hunter and Juan Mann had just lost a close person to them who embodied faith, love and hope; all with a simple hug. For Jason, it was his mother and for Juan, it was his grandmother. The loving aspect of the human spirit was something both counted on, yet as they looked into the faces of others who passed, they had the sudden, overwhelming urge to share what they had all their lives, a free hug.
Knowing it was far-fetched, but it would turn heads, in 2001 on the streets of Miami’s South Beach Jason painted a sign that read, "Free Hugs," which changed his contemplated walk to an upstart campaign to embrace as many people as possible.
Similar to Jason’s experience, Juan faced troubles coming back home to Australia for the death of a close loved one and wanted to be welcomed by someone happy to see him, someone to smile and hug him. So he got some cardboard and a marker and made a sign. He went and found the busiest pedestrian intersection in Sydney and held that sign aloft, with the words "Free Hugs" on both sides. A video of this was released on YouTube in September 2006, which gained over 10 million views.
The Free Hugs campaign will always promote our two most sought after possessions, happiness and our sense of belonging. Free Hugs will always consist of excellence in the development of leaders and action in the community.
Both Jason Hunter and Juan Mann had just lost a close person to them who embodied faith, love and hope; all with a simple hug. For Jason, it was his mother and for Juan, it was his grandmother. The loving aspect of the human spirit was something both counted on, yet as they looked into the faces of others who passed, they had the sudden, overwhelming urge to share what they had all their lives, a free hug.
Knowing it was far-fetched, but it would turn heads, in 2001 on the streets of Miami’s South Beach Jason painted a sign that read, "Free Hugs," which changed his contemplated walk to an upstart campaign to embrace as many people as possible.
Similar to Jason’s experience, Juan faced troubles coming back home to Australia for the death of a close loved one and wanted to be welcomed by someone happy to see him, someone to smile and hug him. So he got some cardboard and a marker and made a sign. He went and found the busiest pedestrian intersection in Sydney and held that sign aloft, with the words "Free Hugs" on both sides. A video of this was released on YouTube in September 2006, which gained over 10 million views.
The Free Hugs campaign will always promote our two most sought after possessions, happiness and our sense of belonging. Free Hugs will always consist of excellence in the development of leaders and action in the community.
