(Regina, Sept. 23, 2013) Sadly, about one in five children are the targets of bullying behaviour. On April 9, 2014, the Canadian Red Cross and SaskEnergy will take a stand against bullying with over 20,000 children, youth and adults across the province during Red Cross Day of Pink.
The day builds on year-round Red Cross violence, bullying and abuse prevention education in schools and communities throughout the province.
“Red Cross Day of Pink is all about taking a stand against bullying behaviour. We want to demonstrate that it’s no longer socially acceptable to bully,” said Valerie Pearson, RespectED Manager with the Red Cross in Saskatchewan. “With the support of sponsors like SaskEnergy, and over 20,000 children, youth and adults, we’re going to make that stand on April 9.”
Red Cross Day of Pink began as Pink Shirt Day in 2007 when two high school students in Nova Scotia stood up to bullying. The students asked their peers to wear pink to school after they heard a male classmate had been bullied for wearing a pink shirt. Red Cross Day of Pink continues this momentum and brings schools and communities together in a stand against bullying.
“Preventing bullying in our schools, communities and the workplace is a high priority at SaskEnergy,” said Leslie Gosselin, Manager of Advertising & Community Relations for SaskEnergy. "Education is the key to prevention, and we’re proud to partner with the Red Cross once again to help put an end to bullying.”
Red Cross encourages schools and businesses to register at redcross.ca/PinkSK to receive support tools and order pink shirts, hats and stickers in support of Red Cross bullying prevention programming. For tips and information about Red Cross bullying prevention education programs contact your local Red Cross office, or visit redcross.ca/RespectED.
“At the Red Cross, every day is Pink Day,” said Pearson. “We are always educating children, youth and adults about how to recognize, address and prevent bullying.”
Red Cross Day of Pink is made possible with thanks to: Presenting Sponsor, SaskEnergy; Supporting Sponsors, RBC Royal Bank, K+S Potash, and Saskatchewan Credit Unions; Official T-Shirt supplier, Extreme Hockey and Sport; and Official Transportation supplier, STC.
Every shirt sold will help educate one child in bullying prevention in Saskatchewan. All proceeds go directly to Red Cross violence, bullying and abuse prevention education in the province.