Kellyanne Bartleson, Founder & Creator of online family resource guide, EmeraldCoastKids.org, announces the inaugural Emerald Coast Kids’ COLOR THE COAST ORANGE #UnityDay2015 on October 21. Kellyanne requested and received a Proclamation on Sept 29th from Governor Scott declaring October as National Bullying Prevention Month when students, schools and communities come together to raise awareness against bullying. Bullying is a serious issue that impacts the educational, physical and emotional health, safety and well-being of at least 1 in 3 students. Bullying can lead to depression, anxiety disorders, poor grades and could have lasting effects. To raise awareness against bullying, PACER launched the National Bullying Prevention Center. In conjunction with PACER’s yearly, international anti-bullying movement, #UnityDay, EmeraldCoastKids.org wants to COLOR THE COAST ORANGE on October 21, 2015!
#UnityDay2015 is simple: On October 21, the community can unite just by wearing orange to make a widespread statement that bullying needs to end. WEAR ORANGE to work, school, practice, sports, wherever: shirts, nail polish, orange hair extensions, hats, ties, shoes, shoe laces, wristbands, etc. GET CREATIVE: Tie an orange ribbon around your mailbox. Decorate your front door. Make “#UnityDay” orange ribbons. Make banners to hang at your school or business. Get social savvy: Use #UnityDay on social media and help spread the word. ORDER FREE POSTER: Schools, Gov’t Agencies, Businesses can order a FREE poster, info handouts and bookmarks before Oct 14 at www.pacer.org/bullying/resources/posters.asp #UnityDay. Schools: Have anti-bullying lessons. Several businesses are already on board and will give discounts to customers who come in wearing orange on Oct 21, several salons will be offering orange hair extensions and the Youth Village in FWB will be offering camp scholarships to parents wearing orange.
Visit www.facebook.com/events/1649809408570298/ to join the event and to see which local businesses have already signed up to participate.
Asked why she wanted to start this yearly event, Kellyanne said, “I am passionate about this cause, having been personally bullied myself in elementary school. Fast forward to 2015, I have two daughters and I want to ensure that they’re growing up in a safe and bully-free community. We live in such a special place and I have no doubts that the community will come ‘together against bullying … [and be] united for kindness, acceptance and inclusion.’”
Date and Time
Wednesday Oct 21, 2015
