Happiness sprinklers in Washington, D.C.

Just over a week after the tragic shooting at the Navy Yard, members of the Happiness Sprinkling Project will stand near that area’s Metro station to hold encouraging signs and offer free hugs to people who need them.

Hilena Hailu, a happiness ambassador who lives in Washington, D.C., said by phone the group is “just spreading compassion and hoping to brighten up people’s day.” The sprinklings are a project of Laura Lavigne’s Anacortes Center for Happiness in Washington state.

Hailu first participated in a sprinkling at 14th and K Street NW during rush hour last year. She said it was interesting to see the faces of the “stressed out” pedestrians brighten as they passed the signs. They’re heading to the Navy Yard tomorrow because people who live there “could use some hugs as well.”

“The idea is to light people up without asking for anything back,” Lavigne said. “Because [Happiness Sprinkling is] not associated with any corporation or any sort of message it sort of jolts people into receiving messages.”

“The idea is to spend one hour, have a great time … and to make somebody’s day. You never know how many people’s day you’re altering,” she continued.

When asked if this was the first Happiness Sprinkling held after a mass tragedy, Lavigne replied, “We hold them all the time. We hold them for no reason. We hold them wen something hard happens in a community.”

“We often do it for no reason. And then sometimes there’s a really good reason, like tomorrow,” she said. “We don’t spend a lot of time looking for a reason.”

For tomorrow’s event, Hailu said she’s recruiting happiness sprinklers, who should wear a bright yellow shirt, through Facebook.

“Often times pedestrians or strangers that are walking by are inspired by what we’re doing will stop and put their stuff down and hold their signs as well,” she said.’

The Happiness Sprinkling Project will be at the Navy Yard Metro station tomorrow from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.