It all started when he lost his friend, Kevin Bowser, on September 11th, 2001.
Sylvester dedicated a nationwide bicycle trip in memory of Bowser. Along the way, he broke bread with many strangers, grieving over the terrorist attacks and sharing hugs in the process.
He used that experience as fuel to travel to other countries, and back across the United States, doing good deeds and sharing hugs with whomever he could find.
On September 11th, 2026, Sylvester will host 'Big Dave's Hug Hub' at the Philadelphia Film Society Center, located near the corner of Broad and Chestnut.
The event, which runs from 8:30am to 12:00pm, will feature a slideshow of 3,000 photos from Sylvester's 25-year journey around the world.
And of course, it will feature many hugs from 'Big Dave' himself.
His goal in the future is to bring the Hug Hub to other locations across the country, all while paying tribute to Bowser and others he lost throughout the years.
Watch the video above or visit the webpage to learn more.
To follow Sylvester on social media, find him on Instagram @thehumanhigh5.
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