If the stressful holiday season has you in need of a hug, head downtown to the foot of Bernard Avenue early this afternoon.
Monique Saebels is reviving the tradition of offering free hugs on Boxing Day as she navigates the first holiday season without her mom.
This weekend will mark 10 months since her mother Louisa (Nicole) was killed when the family’s SUV was T-boned by a speeding BMW at Hwy 97 and Hwy 33.
The event was originally held for nearly a decade during the 2010s to honour Wayne Cobb, who died in a motorcycle accident 15 years ago.
Angie Clowry, the former organizer who is helping Saebels revive the event this year, told KelownaNow in 2017 that it was “amazing” to see people’s reactions.
“Some will say they were here the previous year and enjoy their annual Boxing Day walk to meet up with us for the free hug,” she noted, adding that “some walk quite fast in the other direction.”
The free hugs will be offered up at the Spirit of Sails statue from 1-3 pm today.
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