His girlfriend had just broken up with him and it was raining outside as he was walking around campus, but there was one thing that could perk up his day – a hug.

And that’s just one of the people who received a free hug Monday from John Grant, sophomore in community and regional planning, and James Doxon, freshman in pre-landscape architecture, for International Free Hugs Day.

Grant said he and his roommates first heard about the event from some friends and then got an invitation over Facebook.

“[My roommates and I] immediately wanted to do it,” he said.

Grant said they made T-shirts for the day, but he opted not to wear his because of the cloudy and rainy weather. Doxon wore his, which read “Free Hugs” and was adorned with pictures of animals and peace signs.

Grant used the top of a pizza box with “free hugs” written on it to advertise to the students.

“I feel that sometimes people need a free hug,” Grant said

Both of them participated in giving hugs to attendees during Veishea in the spring.

Zachary Krueger, sophomore in English, said he was inspired to give hugs after watching the video for the song “All the Same” by Sick Puppies on the Internet.

Krueger said he is usually seen around the Food Sciences Building giving away hugs.

Grant said he came across Krueger when he was in front of Curtiss Hall and Krueger put down his bag and took out a free hugs sign just a few feet away from Grant.

With Monday being International Free Hugs Day, Grant, Doxon, their roommates and Krueger wanted to get out and offer everyone a chance to brighten their day.

“We want to make people happy, no matter how good or bad their day is,” Grant said.

Grant said he also got to meet some Spanish international students.

“I learned to say ‘free hugs’ in Spanish, and they came back to see me again later on,” he said.

Both Doxon and Grant said student reactions had been positive so far.

“We haven’t heard anything negative yet,” Doxon said.

Grant said some students look at him and laugh but he doesn’t mind.

Grant and Doxon said they are really considering making their free hugs a daily or weekly thing.

“We will be somewhere on campus,” Doxon said. “We just want to show some love.” The move seems to have been received well by students.