“You’re doing a great job. Keep up the good work. We are proud of you.”
Heartfelt messages like these from University of Virginia mom Laura Steele and others greeted hundreds of students Thursday as more than 80 spirited volunteers – decked out in “Hoo Needs a Hug” T-shirts and equipped with pompoms, cowbells and bright smiles – fanned out across Grounds, spreading encouragement and a little extra joy during the semiannual event.
Now in its fifth edition, Hoo Needs a Hug brings volunteer “huggers” – mainly parents and grandparents of current students – to Grounds to offer students physical and “pocket hugs” (small wooden tokens that students can carry with them), snacks and kind words – small reminders that someone’s always rooting for them.
UVA mom LeAnn Boyer, a first-time “hugger,” and her daughter Ava, a first-year student, enjoy time together during the Hoo Needs a Hug event. “It is such a nice program. I love how welcoming and happy it is. It’s especially great going into finals,” Ava said. (Photo by Lathan Goumas, University Communications)
Steele, whose son is a second-year student at UVA and whose spouse is an alumnus, has participated in the event before and says it’s just as rewarding for her as it is for the students. While the volunteers’ energy and enthusiasm might catch some students off-guard, she said, it doesn’t take long for them to understand the heart behind it.
“When the arms are wide open, they kind of get it. And some kids don’t want a hug, so we just give them a (pocket) hug and tell them that they matter. And then some kids, they give you a hug and they don’t let go. And those are the ones …,” Steele said as her voice cracked and she trailed off, overcome with emotion.
Katherine Moore, now a fourth-year student, remembered when she happened upon the event early in her days at UVA.
“I totally didn’t realize that they did this here. It was kind of unexpected,” she said. “But it was very fun, especially now as we’re coming up into the semester, toward finals, and all the projects are starting to kick in. You feel stressed on the way to class. Taking a break to get a hug from somebody who says they care, it is actually really meaningful.”
First-time hugger LeAnne Boyer had the privilege of sharing a hug and some time with a Hoo she knows well: her daughter Ava, a first-year student.
Volunteers also distribute “pocket” hugs to students at the semiannual event. Organizers say students can keep the wooden token as a reminder that they have people supporting them. (Photo by Lathan Goumas, University Communications)
“The women here who have organized (these events) throughout the last times have been so welcoming. We’ve been so excited. To see all the Hoos on Grounds get pumped up when they see us and ask for those hugs, we get excited about it,” LeAnne Boyer said.
Ava, with a big smile on her face, agreed the program makes an impact.
“It is such a nice program. I love how welcoming and happy it is. It’s especially great going into finals,” she said.
When asked if she’ll continue volunteering as a hugger, LeAnne didn’t hesitate to answer.
“Absolutely yes. I'll definitely come back.”
Enjoy these additional photos University Communications photographer Lathan Goumas captured of the event.
