When I last left off, I was speaking about how Donna Thornton of DLC Beamsville was putting together a large community event to help support Bullying Ends Here. I really had no idea exactly what I was in for BUT it was SPECTACULAR. For starters, Donna arranged for me to speak to their junior high school which was inspiring given all of the positive feedback afterwards. Then it was the next day that all of Donna’s (and her incredible team) hard work came to fruition. Donna had the entire community centre packed with various vendors, displays and kids amusement rides. Even the hot air balloon made an appearance. Donna brought an entire community together for a day of fun and friendship all the while raising much needed funds for my charity. I was so humbled and amazed at just how much work she must have done to make that event happen. There must have been thousands that showed up. Great job Donna!
After I finished the 12 days in Ontario, I finished off the 2015/16 Bullying Ends Here campaign with stops in Calgary and Blackfalds. I have to say that it has been one incredible season with so much to be proud of and thankful for. The truth is that there are many that deserve credit and thanks for helping make all of this happen. Many of whom are with Dominion Lending Centres. Without your help, support and believing in me, none of this would have happened. We are a team and we all have a role to play. Thank you to all who helped make this year such a success.
With that said, I can tell you that the program was presented in every province in the Country over the last 8 months. I presented close to 200 times to over 100,000 individuals. The emails are well over 15,000 and the requests are now from all over the world. The program was recognized in the B.C. Legislature, the book a best seller, awarded the ‘2016 Inspiration Award’ by the Alberta Government and got to make thousands of new friends….all while continuing to spread Jamie’s message of acceptance and understanding. I’m not sure how I can top that for the 2016/17 school year but I have a sneaky suspicion that much more will take place. For starters, I will be speaking in Amsterdam Netherlands in August on the world stage which will be exciting. I suspect this will open doors that will lead to beyond our borders.
My goal was always very simple, I wanted to help just one person. I wanted to tell the world about a boy named Jamie. I had no idea what was about to unfold and the journey I would be on. Not a day goes by that I don’t pinch myself to prove that this isn’t a dream.
I will be adding available dates for 2017 in the next week or two and will be reserving days for almost every province again. Please continue to check things out at www.bullyingendshere.ca where you can see some more incredible things that our charity has done and the lives saved.
It is now time to focus on my police work and enjoy some personal time while also writing the second edition to the book which should be ready by mid summer. Along with a few edits, there will be several new chapters outlining what the kids are telling me in their emails along with signs of bullying and also what you can do to prevent it. Always a work in progress needless to say. As always, I am here to email anytime at tad@bullyingendshere.ca.
Please enjoy your summer, be safe and keep smiling.
Courtesy of Tad Milmine, Founder – Bullying Ends Here