A hug shows love, and at the Bonita Springs adult day-care center Millennium House on Thursday, there was plenty of love to go around.

Millennium House in Springs Plaza celebrated the 25th annual National Hug Holiday by passing out free hugs to clients and the community at large.

"This is something we all feel strongly about," said Cindi Ryerson, owner and administrator of Millennium House. "In this day and age, when times are tough, people need a hug. There have been so many times where people will say, 'You have no idea how much I needed that.' I think this is a nice way to say we care about you."

Most of Millennium House's clients are adults who have a parent who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, dementia or Parkinson's disease.

With 36.3 million Americans 65 or older - a number that's expected to increase by 50 million by 2050, according to the U.S. Census - more Americans are coming to grips with the possibility that they may not be able to care for the person they spent a lifetime loving.

"A hug just makes you feel good," said Katie Geshay, a 78-year-old client from Naples. "On some days, you just need one. You just need to know that someone cares and that you're loved. It just gives you a warm feeling."

Gisela Leidli, another Naples client, came into get her hug.

"A hug gives you the feeling that you belong somewhere," she said. "Hugs are family."

Lilly Howard, Millennium House's activities coordinator, said she has never worked in a place where everyone from client to employee feels like a member of the family.

"There is so much love here," she said. "I think when you do get older, you need more love - and hugs are a great way to express that."

Mary Anne Cecil, 59, of Bonita Springs has been caring for her mother for some time.

"She's 88 and has been living with my husband and I," Cecil said. "She needs more hugs than I can give her."

She gets plenty of them at Millennium House, Cecil said.

"They love her. They love everyone, and I think that's something lacking in their lives. They come here and exercise their bodies and mind," Cecil said. "With her pain, the loss of her husband, my dad, a hug can be a very powerful thing. It's a lot better than a thank you or a great meal."

The house of hugs, however, wasn't just for clients.

Catherine Bass, a 36-year-old Bonita Springs mom, was driving by and noticed the sign offering free hugs.

"So my 20-month-old daughter decided to stop in and see everyone," Bass said. "Everyone could use a hug now and then."

Sue Dumont, left, gets a hug from activities director Lillian Howard after she walked into Millennium House, an adult day-care center in Bonita Springs. The center, in honor of the 25th annual National Hug Week, was offering free hugs to the public. (Terry Allen Williams/news-press.com)

Sue Dumont, left, gets a hug from activities director Lillian Howard after she walked into Millennium House, an adult day-care center in Bonita Springs. The center, in honor of the 25th annual National Hug Week, was offering free hugs to the public. (Terry Allen Williams/news-press.com)