Who Needs A Hug?

By Shannon Hicks

Dozens of kids head to the center of town every afternoon, most headed toward the parking lot outside Dunkin’ Donuts, Bagel Delight, or even Starbucks, where they buy a snack or two and then kill some time before heading home for the night.

On Tuesday, October 21, one group of twenty-somethings (with one much younger pal) decided to do something a little more positive with some of their free time.

Many motorists were not sure what to make of the small group of guys standing on the short bit of sidewalk that connects Queen Street Shopping Center with Church Hill & Queen Commons, but they seemed to get a kick out of their effort and their sign. The effort was to give hugs — just hugs, nothing more — and their cardboard sign explained it all: Free Hugs.

“We’re doing this for no particular reason,” said Shawn Piccirillo, one of the five friends who had been out for just over an hour when The Bee stopped by to meet the group late Tuesday afternoon. Shawn was joined by Ryan Miller Booth, Chris Hicks, Koty Lajoie, and Chris Saren for the endeavor, which drew a lot of honking and waves from many drivers who either continued on their drive along Queen Street or were turning into either of the shopping centers. Many of those who parked in the area the boys took a walk over to say Hello and, in most cases, to share a hug.

Within an hour the boys had given more than 100 hugs.

“Our first hug came from a cancer patient who had just finished six years of chemotherapy,” said Chris, who was keeping a running tally of the number of hugs the boys received on a piece of cardboard. At that point they were up to 118 hugs from friends, family, and strangers. “She gave us a great hug. It was cool.”

While some people honked and/or made rude gestures at the boys and their efforts, others were appreciative of the positive energy.

“We’re just trying to raise Newtown’s spirits,” said Shawn. “Just bring a little happiness back into the world.”