Pete Gilson and Freeholder Leonard Desiderio/Photo courtesy of Lenora Boninfante.

CREST HAVEN -- Are Cape May County residents really huggable? Pete Gilson thinks so.

Freeholder Leonard Desiderio presented Gilson, 75, of Woodbine with 250 bumper stickers for the “Everyone Gets a Hug in Cape May County” campaign at the Freeholders’ Meeting June 24.

Gilson is a member of the Cape May County String Band and started the campaign by posting signs “I give Hugs” at the band’s performances throughout the county.

He said he got the idea because he realized there are plenty of people out there in need of a good hug, especially seniors who are grieving the loss of a spouse.

At the meeting, Gilson practiced the fine art of hugging by giving them away for free to freeholders and staff.

He will be stationed beginning soon on the Washington Street Mall in Cape May, giving out stickers, he told the Herald.