Boys & Girls Clubs partners with 1BillionHugs to spark consent-first connection and fund youth leadership across West Virginia

Boys & Girls Clubs of West Virginia is partnering with 1BillionHugs, a WV-born social-impact movement that turns a simple shirt into a consent-firstinvitation to connect. For a limited 4-week pre-order, the Founders Edition “Free Hugs” tee - USA-made, sustainably sourced, and printed in West Virginia by Mountain Mindful - will direct 10% of profits to Boys & Girls Clubs of West Virginia and the Ohio–West Virginia Youth Leadership Association (YLA).

“Every preorder helps our Clubs create more safe, positive spaces where young people feel seen, supported, and inspired to lead,” said Stacie Rohn, CEO at Boys & Girls Clubs of the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. “We’re excited to partner on a simple, hopeful message that brings communities together.”

“Connection is consent-first. An invitation, not an expectation,” said Reed Byers, founder of 1BillionHugs. “This campaign makes hope visible while fueling youth programs and paid training in Appalachia.”

How it helps

• 10% of profits support Boys & Girls Clubs and youth leadership across West Virginia.

• Shirts are printed by Mountain Mindful, an Appalachian social enterprise that provides paid training and jobs for people facing barriers to employment.

• The movement is consent-first and opt-in: ask first, respect “no,” celebrate “yes.”

Get involvedPreorder the Founders Edition “Free Hugs” tee and support WV youth: 1billionhugs.com 

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