Featuring People Who Make a Difference Shashi Bellamkonda Founder of Huggable People Announces 2014 Relaunch

Washington, DC, February 17, 2014 --(PR.com)-- Huggable People relaunched on January 21, 2014 in honor of the official National Hug Day as an idea to share the stories of people who make a difference by their difference. Huggable People, founded by Shashi Bellamkonda will recognize, honor and celebrate 'huggables' each month for providing extraordinary service in their communities and abroad. By nomination well-known and less well-known people, companies (big and small), non-profits as well as technology and businesses will be featured on Huggable People’s website, within their monthly newsletter and across social media platforms. In addition, the Huggable People team will also recognize the person who nominates the ‘huggable’ along with why they thought the person is deserving of the recognition.

Although time-strapped, people are finding the time to give back to their communities. According to the Office of Volunteer and Community Involvement, “1 in 4 Americans volunteer, enhancing opportunities for their neighbors and communities.”

“All of us meet such people who instruct, inspire and initiate us into a new way of life. On a regular basis we want to feature such “huggable people” who have a vastly different mission than just doing a job,” Shashi Bellamkonda.

The relaunch of the site will include a monthly newsletter, a fully functional Facebook page including direct links to nominate, sign up for their monthly newsletter, featured posts via their website, weekly huggable stuff and a Twitter presence.

Huggable People have featured amazing stories of professionals who do things to help improve the lives of others. A few of the professionals featured have ranged from:

•Cancer survivor who has dedicated himself personally and professionally to raise funds for cancer research
•Helping support and raise funds for World Hunger Day
•Professionals who have reached out to be role models and mentor to women
•Small business entrepreneur who has based her business on helping other small businesses
•Self-proclaimed nerd whose use of technology has been the catalyst to be a voice for over 100 non-profit organizations

For a full viewing of past ‘huggables', visit huggablepeople.com.

The 2014 search for nominations is now on. Anyone and everyone are eligible to nominate a candidate. Those wishing to nominate can do so through the website or by email at awesomeatmandotcom. Nominations only require a professional photo, about 250 word description of why the person should be nominated and contact information of the person nominating. As the site develops, the ability to interact with the nominee and to vote for them will be possible.

Bellamkonda’s vision is for this idea to become a catalyst for people to openly share their stories worldwide through the use of available technologies.

Huggable People is a non-for-profit channel started in 2011 as huggableman.com and rebranded in 2012 to include men and women who strive to make a difference in the lives of others and who nurture their community. Its vision is to continue honoring and recognizing individuals, companies, teams and executives who make a difference by their difference. Founded by Shashi Bellamkonda, known as the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area “Social Media Swami” he is the Vice President of Digital Marketing at The Bozzuto Group, headquartered in Greenbelt, Maryland. He is also Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University as well as writes for The Washington Business Journal blog, The Examiner, and for TechCocktail. Shashi is passionate about helping small business and frequently speaks at national and regional small business, communications and marketing conferences.