Amanda McCarthy, fundraising director at the Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn, gave Chicagoans a reason to smile last Thursday. On Jan. 21, she walked the streets of downtown Chicago, doling out one-minute hugs to raise awareness for human connection on National Hug Day.
In conjunction with her start-up community, PEAKHappiness, McCarthy gave out nearly 50 one-minute hugs within 3 hours – all on Michigan Avenue and Washington Boulevard.
“It was a very intimate experience, but not in the way you’re intimate with a significant other,
explains McCarthy. “It was so different, but really, really neat.”
McCarthy says the idea for PEAKHappiness came to her in a dream that she couldn’t shake after waking up, so she decided to run with it. From there, she decided to create a group and put together projects that are “emotionally worthwhile,” like the One Minute Hug.
“My mission through PEAKHappiness,” McCarthy says, “is to spread passion, excitement, abundance and kindness to people with incredible dreams around the world.”
When she is not dreaming about new ways to encourage and uplift others, McCarthy is working behind the scenes at the Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn as the non-profit’s fundraising director.
“I love seeing our employees and volunteers making a difference in people’s lives outside the physical walls of the Museum as they pursue their own passions, working to be a positive light in the world,” said Adam Woodworth, executive director of the Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn.
“While depression is not anywhere in our mission [as a Museum], we know it affects parents and children who walk through our doors,” Woodworth explains, “so it can affect our mission in terms of learning and parental interaction with their children.”
McCarthy is unsure of the next big project she’ll tackle with PEAKHappiness, but is excited to see where the adventure will take her.
In conjunction with her start-up community, PEAKHappiness, McCarthy gave out nearly 50 one-minute hugs within 3 hours – all on Michigan Avenue and Washington Boulevard.
“It was a very intimate experience, but not in the way you’re intimate with a significant other,
explains McCarthy. “It was so different, but really, really neat.”
McCarthy says the idea for PEAKHappiness came to her in a dream that she couldn’t shake after waking up, so she decided to run with it. From there, she decided to create a group and put together projects that are “emotionally worthwhile,” like the One Minute Hug.
“My mission through PEAKHappiness,” McCarthy says, “is to spread passion, excitement, abundance and kindness to people with incredible dreams around the world.”
When she is not dreaming about new ways to encourage and uplift others, McCarthy is working behind the scenes at the Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn as the non-profit’s fundraising director.
“I love seeing our employees and volunteers making a difference in people’s lives outside the physical walls of the Museum as they pursue their own passions, working to be a positive light in the world,” said Adam Woodworth, executive director of the Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn.
“While depression is not anywhere in our mission [as a Museum], we know it affects parents and children who walk through our doors,” Woodworth explains, “so it can affect our mission in terms of learning and parental interaction with their children.”
McCarthy is unsure of the next big project she’ll tackle with PEAKHappiness, but is excited to see where the adventure will take her.
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