Mission
HugTrainUSA is a two week train trip around the US to spread happiness, joy and raise funds and awareness around mental health.
Purpose
HugTrainUSA’s purpose is to spread happiness and good feelings during the holiday season and make people feel that they matter. The train ride also provides a forum for creating discussions and awareness about mental health.
Founder
The HugTrain concept is the brainchild of Arie Moyal. HugTrainUSA 2011-12, the third annual event, will be stopping in cities across the USA, including: Chicago, Jacksonville, New Orleans, Denver, Portland, Washington DC, Salt Lake City, Birmingham and ten more!
Arie is dedicating HugTrainUSA 2011 to the memory of Trey Pennington, a loved social media consultant who battled depression and who took his own life on September 4, 2011.
2011 Goals
The specific goals for HugTrainUSA 2011 are twofold:
- Grow the HugTrainUSA community to include as many people as possible- on as many social media channels as possible, who will help promote good mental health and/or will be coming to one of the train stops to receive a hug.
- Help us raise $20,000 which will be donated to Mental Health America, a nonprofit which is dedicated to promoting mental health, preventing mental and substance use conditions and achieving victory over mental illnesses and addictions through advocacy, education, research and service.
Past HugTrains
In 2009 and 2010, Arie traveled near and far to give people hugs and raise awareness about mental health. He has hugged hundreds of people and looks forward to hugging even more people this year!
