ABOUT the Hug Your Kids Today project

The focus of the Hug Your Kids Today project is simple - to encourage all working mothers and fathers to forget the crazy idea of "work-life balance," Instead, we recommend you priotitize and put your "family first and work a close second."

The Hug Your Kids Today project springboarded from some billboards Michelle Nichols and her family had put up in Houston in 2003, in memory of their son, Mark. The billboards read "Hug Your Kids Today. We Wish We Could. In Memory of Mark Nichols 1989-1998." Mark died suddenly in 1998, at age 8 1/2 years old, from brain cancer.

The words of the billboards became the title of this project and the handbook - Hug Your Kids Today!

became

CLICK the billboard photo to watch the TV interview from ABC-TV affiliate in Houston.

National Hug Your Kids Day will launch on July 21, 2008, and continue on the third Monday in July in future years.

The official handbook, Hug Your Kids TODAY! 5 Key Lessons for Every Working Parent, will be available by July 1, 2008.

The HYKT project has FOUR components

1. National HYK Day, with digital billboards across the U.S. and special events

2. The handbook - Hug Your Kids Today! 5 Key Lessons for Every Working Parent - and other related products and services

3. A community - A blog and albums for photos, YouTube videos and stories

4. Corporate services - Professional speaking, sponsorships and special events

Mark Nichols (1989-1998) and Michelle Nichols

DONATIONS to the Hug Your Kids Today project:

Custom Song: Tony Brigmon, www.funmeetings.com donated "Hug Your Kids Today" song

"Hug Mugs - Brenda Angelini www.advinadv.com donated 144 mugs that announce National Hug Your Kids Day.

Cheryl Latham, State Farm agent in Reno, donated the rental fee for West Wingfield Park for the Biggest Little Hug.

Amy Brazil, Dickson Realty realtor extraordinaire, donated 1000 red "Hug Your Kids Today" pens.

United Rentals in Reno donated a 60' boom-lift for the Biggest Little Hug.

Rick