First Annual Hug-A-Thon Raises $800 For Giving Project

Exzavier Beal, 7, of Shawnee, hugs his mom, Kayla Beal, to make a "Forever Hug" with his arms painted white and hers blue during the First Annual Hug-A-Thon held at Woodland Veterans Park on Aug. 3. Also shown, recording the moment, is Exzavier's aunt, Rita Beal. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan

Olivia Rawlins, center, of Tecumseh, gets a "Forever Hug" from her mother, Tamina Lindsey, as her aunt Linda Hurley places Tamina's paint-covered arms during the First Annual Hug-A-Thon held at Woodland Veterans Park, in Shawnee, on Aug. 3. Rawlins was in charge of painting everyone's arms for the hugs at the event. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan

Victoria Lee and Emily Streeter, founder of the Pott County Giving Project, were the driving forces behind the First Annual Hug-A-Thon, held at Woodland Veterans Park on Aug. 3. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan

Kayla Beal, kneeling left, and Exzavier Beal, 7, both of Shawnee, look at their arms and hands after Olivia Rawlins, of Tecumseh, kneeling right, finished painting them so they could create a “Forever Hug” during the First Annual Hug-A-Thon at Woodland Veterans Park on Aug. 3. Also shown, standing from left, are Rita Beal, Alexis McCool and Arthur McCool. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan

Alexis McCool, left, of McLoud, her son, Arthur McCool, and daughter-in-law Rita Beal, both of Shawnee, have a group "Forever Hug" during the First Annual Hug-A-Thon held at Woodland Veterans Park on Aug. 3. Alexis said that getting Forever Hugs for the family was Rita's idea. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan

Isaac Lowe and Tyler Kupper, both with the Guitar Vault in Shawnee, perform - as Ryker Kupper, one-and-a-half years, visits his father - during the First Annual Hug-A-Thon held at Woodland Veterans Park on Aug. 3. Also with the Guitar Vault, Rodney Ackerman, Ron Ackerman, and Thatcher Guess sang, and Andy & Aubrey Pope played guitar and drums, respectively, at the event. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan

First Annual Hug-A-Thon

First Annual Hug-A-Thon

First Annual Hug-A-Thon

First Annual Hug-A-Thon

First Annual Hug-A-Thon

First Annual Hug-A-Thon

First Annual Hug-A-Thon

First Annual Hug-A-Thon

First Annual Hug-A-Thon

First Annual Hug-A-Thon

First Annual Hug-A-Thon

First Annual Hug-A-Thon

First Annual Hug-A-Thon

First Annual Hug-A-Thon

First Annual Hug-A-Thon

First Annual Hug-A-Thon

First Annual Hug-A-Thon

First Annual Hug-A-Thon

First Annual Hug-A-Thon

First Annual Hug-A-Thon

First Annual Hug-A-Thon

First Annual Hug-A-Thon

First Annual Hug-A-Thon

First Annual Hug-A-Thon

First Annual Hug-A-Thon organizer Emily Streeter shares a "Forever Hug" with her daughter Saige at the event on Aug. 3. Photo provided by Victoria Lee.