Student Experience

‘Hoo Needs a Hug’: Parents Bring Back Popular Event

October 18, 2023 • By Jane Kelly, jak4g@virginia.edu Jane Kelly, jak4g@virginia.edu

Embraces abounded last Thursday as parents came to Grounds for “Hoo Needs a Hug.” (Photo by Erin Edgerton, University Communications)

The news is good and wholesome and involves optional hugs, treats galore, beneficent local businesses, dog snuggles and the promise of more of the same in April.

And it’s all due to a group of parents of students at the University of Virginia.

On a recent sunny afternoon on the South Lawn – at the height of midterm season – a group of visiting parents wearing “Hoo Needs a Hug” T-shirts handed out more than 4,000 baked goods, 18 pounds of candy and, perhaps importantly, 100 dental hygiene kits.

There were Peppermint Patties, Cheetos, pretzels and orange-and-blue macarons.

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“We were once again graced with an absolutely perfect day for our event,” Wahoo mom Brenda Miller, one of the event organizers, said.

The first “Hoo Needs a Hug” event was held in April. It will return April 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the same location.

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Rebecca Parker Hudson, one of last week’s huggers, said a trio of students “kept going back through to hug everyone. There were [also] several kids with parents who lived far away and they hadn’t seen in awhile and they just wanted mom hugs.”

Miller said local businesses assisted in providing treats to students, including Albemarle Baking Company, Duck Donuts, Bodo’s Bagels and Thumbprints Etc. Bakery.

Group of parents gather for a picture in their tshirts

Moms and dads offered hugs and free treats to students. Some came from as far as New Jersey and New Orleans for the event, with returns April 11. (Photo by Erin Edgerton, University Communications)

“Based on the feedback from students, volunteers and parents, I believe that the event was tremendously successful. I think many people left the event with full hearts and smiles on their faces,” Miller added. “We had roughly 50 parent volunteers from locations such as New Orleans, New Jersey, North Carolina, and of course Virginia, as well as three canine ambassadors in attendance.”

Join UVA Today in reveling in the goodness of “Hoo Needs a Hug.”