Wow! We had so much fun on Sunday, Dec 13th. Despite the fact that it was minus 33 degrees celcius. those of us who braved the weather to be on the streets of downtown Calgary to give away hugs stayed surprisingly warm. I honestly think it was all the love and warmth of human connection that kept us from freezing.
There was more foot traffic than we anticipated, due to a nearby theatre event, so we got to offer more hugs than we expected to on such a cold day. People were surprised but happy to see us out on the street with our bright red t-shirts pinned to the outside of our coats. Most were tickled to be offered a hug. In fact, it truly surprised me how many people were willing to engage in a really warm, long “I’m enjoying connecting with you” hug, not just a quick squeeze before they ran off.
People driving by on MacLeod Trail were receptive to us, too. They smiled and waved as they drove by, some honked their support and a few people actually pulled over and stopped, waving us over to offer a hug through the car window! It was great!
We had reporters from two newspapers (check out the story and photo on Metro Community News http://www.metronews.ca/calgary/local/article/396633–free-hugs-make-spirits-bright ) and apparently there was a photo in the Dec 14th Calgary Herald that we missed – if anyone out there has a copy, will you send it to us, please? Email info@bestucanb.ca
There were also CBC news and Global TV news cameras who came to film us. We had great fun with them, too. You can watch the newscasts on our bestucanbchannel on You Tube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E96IJGBCgQg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRWmbALrNZM
Jan Presley, the t-shirt provider from www.freehugs4us.org , put out a blog challenging everyone she knows to “create a tsunami of love” with our free hugs day, and it certainly is happening…
On Dec 14th we were contacted by a counselor from the City of Fredericton asking us how he could go about initiating a Free Hugs day in the capital city of New Brunswick – we’re talking about doing a joint Free Hugs Day in 2010.
And today Sieuwke, the lovely lady at Servants Anonymous Society of Calgary who worked with us to make Free Hugs Day a success (and who is most grateful for the proceeds of the t-shirt sales that are being given to her organization to continue the good work they do. See www.servantsanon.com ) received a call from CBC – they want to do an interview about Free Hugs Day and Servants Anonymous that will be broadcast all across Canada!
We feel so blessed to be part of this experience of bringing love and compassion to the world, especially at this holiday season, which can be difficult for some people. We are showing the world what the true spirit of giving is all about.
Why not get yourself a free hugs t-shirt and wear it over the holidays? You’ll be impressed by how wonderful it makes you and others feel to share a hug in this cold winter season. Find out more about purchasing Calgary’s official hugs t-shirt at www.freehugs.bestucanb.ca
For now, I send you a virtual hug… please pass it on!
