What Is HOBY Hugs?

HOBY Hugs is a heartfelt fundraising campaign that turns generosity into tangible encouragement for Alabama HOBY Ambassadors, using a play on words we frequently use.

Each HOBY Hug becomes a physical heart with a personal message of encouragement, written by a supporter and shared directly with a student leader during the Alabama HOBY Leadership Seminar.

It’s more than a donation.
It’s a reminder to our ambassadors that people believe in them.

Why HOBY Hugs Matters

Leadership begins with confidence — and confidence grows when ambassadors feel supported.

HOBY Hugs allows our community to:

Encourage students that they may never meet
Invest in leadership development in a personal way
Show ambassadors they are valued, seen, and supported

How It Works

Give a HOBY Hug at a chosen level (online donation)
Write a short message of encouragement (info collected in online form when you purchase a hug)
Messages are placed on physical hearts
Hearts are shared with ambassadors during the seminar OR on the HOBY Hug Wall
Students leave with words they can keep and carry forward or use as a photo op!

HOBY Hug Levels

💙 $10 — HOBY Hug | One personalized heart message shared with ambassadors on the HOBY Hug wall

💙 $15 — A Double Hug | Two heart messages — doubling the encouragement on the HOBY Hug wall

💙 $ 25 — A Personal Hug | One heart message plus a small HOBY-branded reminder of support delivered directly to the ambassador of your choosing

💙 $ 50 — A Legacy Hug | Includes up to three heart messages of encouragement shared with Alabama HOBY Ambassadors, a small HOBY-branded reminder of support for students, and an Alabama HOBY gift as a thank you for your generosity.

What Ambassadors Experience

Reading messages from people who believe in them
Feeling encouraged, supported, and confident
Knowing their leadership journey matters beyond the seminar

These hearts become moments students remember long after the weekend ends.