St. Patrick's Day Parade Will Be a Hug Fest

Thanks to a local nonprofit, attendees at the St. Patrick's Day parade are likely to get something unexpected — a hug.

SpreadKindness.org aims to make the world a better place one kind act at a time. For the second year in a row, the local organization will participate in Dublin's parade.

"We’re always looking to spread kindness to as many people as possible, so big gatherings like the parade are a great opportunity to do that," said Mark Haswell of San Ramon, who founded the organization in February 2009 with his wife, Maria. 

Through various events and projects, the husband and wife team have helped bring kindness to local communities and will do so again at this year's parade.

"It’s also a lot of fun for our organization’s volunteers. Who wouldn’t want to be in a parade? And the crowd is really into it. Last year, we got a lot of smiles and cheers and hugs from the people along the parade route," Haswell said.

The hope is that this kindness will become contagious. Members of the organization believe that when someone is kind to you, you're more likely to be kind to someone else. They want people to take the kindness they receive and pass it on.

"We always enjoy the element of surprise we create at events like this. No one is really expecting a free hug when they show up for the parade," Haswell said. "From their perspective, it’s definitely a ‘random’ act of kindness." 

SpreadKindness.org is looking for by walking in the parade March 12, handing out candies, smiling, waving, hugging and encouraging others to be kind.

For more information on how you can volunteer, click .

"We really believe kindness has the power to change the world for the better. And everyone has the ability and opportunity to be kind. It may be one small, simple act at a time, in one little corner of the world, but it makes a difference, and it adds up," said Haswell.

"If everyone acted more kindly toward one another more often, wouldn't the world be a better place?"