Members of the Zeta Phi Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. set up a table in the Micheal Student Center to give out free hugs and kisses –Hershey kisses that is, to anyone that wanted one.

Tuesday March 27, 2018 the ladies of Sigma Gamma Rho at Bradley University walked around the student center giving out free hugs and Hershey kisses, along with free brochures and handouts on the side effects of stress, healthy ways to reduce stress, and various free resources on campus designed to help students stay from stressing and keep from falling victim to depression.

Kristian Pacey, a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. was eager to spread joy. Pacey said, “We wanted to give hugs because we all need love.”

High school seniors and their families strolled through the student center on their college tour and were embraced with hugs, smiles and small chocolates. Every hug was attached with a fact about how hugging is healthy.

The Hugs & Kisses event takes place during the 2018 Rhomania week. The entire week is geared towards helping students reduce stress.

While the ladies gave hugs and kisses to anyone who passed, their mission wasn’t just to help spread positivity. The ladies decorated their table with baby bottles. During their Rhomania week the ladies of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. will be taking donations for March of Dimes.

“Our sorority as a whole is geared towards empowering women and children,” said Niyah

Hudson, “so we wanted to find a way to raise money for a cause that aligns with our vision.”

According to the ladies of Sigma Gamma Rho, hugs can help reduce depression and decrease one’s chances of acquiring high blood pressure.

“Hugs are heartfelt,” said Hudson, “they make me happy, so I want to make someone else happy too because you never know what someone may be going through.”

The Zeta Phi Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. will be giving hugs at all of their events during Rhomania week.

Daija Hurkes, a Bradley student passing through the student center during the time of the event was overjoyed to receive a hug. Hurkes said, “They really made my day. I hugged every one of them.”

While every event during Rhomania week is geared towards a different aspect of stress, the ladies of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated will be giving free hugs around campus and at every other event during their week.