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30 Mar

My Pink Shirt Anti-Bullying Day Adventures

General

Posted by: Darick Battaglia

So last we left off, I was discussing how Pink Shirt Day is important to me, and should be for everyone. How this one day is meant to be a day to start a conversation that should be lasting for 365 days per year. I can tell you that Dave Teixeira, VP Marketing, Public Relations and Communications for Dominion Lending Centres and I had a pretty remarkable day on February 24th in Vancouver and Victoria. We were able to partake in many media interviews both on the radio and television sharing the important work that Bullying Ends Here is doing in partnership with DLC. Dave then took me on my first ever float plane ride to Victoria for the day where we were welcomed in the BC Legislature and treated to a day of important conversation and introductions. It won’t surprise you that Dave seems to know everyone!

I was able to speak with Travis Price (pictured with me), the ‘creator’ of Pink Shirt Day and learn about all of the important work that he too is doing. Needless to say, there are many incredible individuals out there fighting hard to make this world a better place.

On February 24th, I made the Pink Shirt Day Pledge that I was going to follow through on the important message of keeping the discussion going throughout the year by continuing the wear the Bullying Ends Here pink shirt during every presentation across the Country. I thought it would be a great way to ensure we are the leaders with carrying forward the message, not only with words, but also in our actions.

Val Thibault and Tad MilmineSince the last blog, I have spoken at many schools in and around Calgary, Lloydminster and now on my way back to Ottawa. While in Lloydminster, I had the pleasure of speaking at 5 schools thanks to Val Thibault of DLC (pictured with me at the right) who worked so hard to put that tour together. Because of her hard work, the program reached just shy of 2,000 students along with being represented in the local media. Not only did Val do all of that, but she welcomed me into her home for a wonderful home cooked meal with her family. Such a wonderful time. Thanks for the love and support Val!

Now I am off to Ottawa to speak to several schools there with thanks, in part, to Trevor Watters and his family. I will also be spending some quality time with Jamie Hubley’s family to catch them up on some of the work that has been taking place since we last met in November. I know they are thankful for all that we do to keep their son’s memory alive and helping those that need it most.

With that said, I want to share with you a success story that I was told about last week. After a presentation, the students went back to their classrooms to debrief. While doing so in one particular classroom, a student stood up and said ‘I saw Tad speak last year at my last school and it also happened to be the same day that I was going to commit suicide. After he spoke, I knew that suicide was not the answer and I got the help that I needed’. The teacher then came and shared that with me to show just how much change the program is making. Not only did it save a student’s life BUT that student is brave enough to share the impact it on them with others. This now brings the total lives saved (as known to me) to be 36.

Some of you have already reached out to me to purchase my first book for yourself and/or others. THANK YOU for that. With the proceeds from the sale of ‘Bullying Ends Here – My Life’ going directly to the charity, we are all making a difference. I just placed an order for another 300 books so please feel free to email me directly at tad@bullyingendshere.ca to arrange an order or visit the website www.bullyingendshere.ca to do so. If you wish to share with your American friends, they can get the book at Amazon.com. The feedback on the book has been truly humbling and I know that it is helping many more people.

I am really excited for the future and commit to pushing myself even harder to make this world a better place. I commit to expanding on my commitment to Jamie’s family of telling the world about their son. I promise to continue saving lives by simply sharing my own story and that of Jamie’s.

Thank you for continuing to read my blog and seeing for yourself just how much change Bullying Ends Here is inspiring. Together, we are not only changing lives, but SAVING them.

Courtesy of Tad Milmine, Founder, Bullying Ends Here