Former Soldier Starts Initiative Of Giving Free Hugs To Provide Comfort And Joy

Jan 02, 2020 by apost team

A soldier with post-traumatic stress disorder is spreading joy over the holiday season with free hugs. Standing outside in freezing temperatures in Chicago, he believes that they can help provide people the solace they may need.

6'6" Kevin Milligan, a resident of Chicago, Illinois, is a former Army Ranger who served five years in the military. His service included tours in both Kosovo and Afghanistan.

His deployment wasn't easy. In addition to the harsh conditions that he endured overseas, he wasn't allowed to return home on schedule, which took quite a toll on him and his family.

He says he felt like the whole world had fallen out from under him to Chicago's WGN9 reports.

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Kevin was also diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) when he resumed civilian life.

"Once you go to some of these places and see some of the things that I've seen, it changes you. It forever changes you. You're never going to be the same person you were before you went in," he said in an interview with WGN News.

The good news is that Kevin isn't letting his condition slow him down. In fact, he's taking strength and purpose from it. He's the founder of The Unconditional Hug, a charity organization that aims to "foster meaningful interpersonal interactions between people" through good old-fashioned cuddles, according to their Facebook page.

As part of his work with The Unconditional Hug, Kevin stands on street corners with a sign that says "free hugs." When people express interest and consent, he wraps them up in a warm embrace.

It isn't as simple as it sounds. Temperatures in Chicago can drop below zero during the winter months, and many city folk are too busy or too wary to stop for a stranger on the street.

But Kevin persists, and when he succeeds, the results can be heartwarming. A local news station followed his efforts one day. Over the course of an hour, he hugged between 25 and 30 people of all ages, genders, races and sizes.

Many people left with smiles on their faces even if they hadn't been in good moods before the hug. Others cried, but their tears were cathartic.

"This time of year is really hard," said one woman, wiping tears from her eyes. She said the hug helped a lot. As for Kevin, he plans to continue his work with his charity.

"It's soulful," he said simply, in the WGN News video.

What do you think? Would you accept a hug from Kevin? Do you think he's crazy for standing outside in freezing Chicago winters, or does that just make you admire him more? Let us know in the comments!