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24 Feb

Pink Shirt Anti-Bullying Day

General

Posted by: Darick Battaglia

Well, another month gone and spring is just around the corner. Bullying Ends Here has been up to so much over the last month and a half and has reached thousands more in many Provinces. I had the opportunity to see my Dominion Lending Centres friends in Ottawa and be a part of their Holiday Festivities. I was honoured to be able to say a few (well maybe more than a few) words to their amazing families and share some of my personal story with their children as well. From the moment I met this team in Whistler back in November, there was something very special about them. Kim and her team went so far as to raise over $2,500 for Bullying Ends Here that evening. I look forward to seeing them again in March and speaking at some of their children’s schools locally.

I was also in Toronto ON, Calgary AB, Cold Lake AB, Vancouver BC and Cambridge ON for presentations. It has been a whirlwind as always but so inspiring to speak to so many and also have hundreds share their own stories back. I can share with you after one particular presentation, that a youth and their Principal came up to me with tears in their eyes and the youth said ‘I think you just saved a life today…..that life is mine’. Both wanted to give me such a big hug as a token of their appreciation for letting youth know that they are not alone and that dreams can still come true, no matter how dark their current days may feel. Nothing more rewarding. This is precisely why I do what I do!

I was also in Woodbridge ON thanks to Vince Tarantino. He did a tremendous job arranging for me to present and reach hundreds more. Dominion Lending Centres is really stepping up to the plate to ensure that their communities have as many resources as possible available for their youth. Great job team and thanks for believing in me!

I am so fortunate to be sharing Pink Shirt Day on February 24th with our DLC Family in the Lower Mainland of BC and in Victoria. For years I have enjoyed this day for all that it does and how the media reports on it. I love the conversations it starts and how it also helps bring attention to a topic very dear to my heart. Although we all know that bullying takes place daily, 24 hours a day, it is vital that we bring as much attention to this epidemic as possible. To me, Pink Shirt Day represents change. It has all ages knowing what the pink shirt represents and how we all have a role to play when it comes to preventing bullying. To wear the pink shirt says that you stand up to it. That you are a safe person to talk to. That you are a friend.

For me, Pink Shirt Day is EVERYDAY. I know that you believe this as well. I believe this is one of the reasons why our partnership is so wonderful. Together, we ensure that bullying is spoken about daily and that we save lives together.

Lastly, I am so proud to tell you that my new book, ‘Bullying Ends Here – My Life’ is now available for purchase. This brand new book is already a ‘Best Seller’ and I can tell you that I wrote it all myself. This was something that took me a long time to do as I had to believe in my own abilities first. I then had to take myself back to some really difficult times in my life to be able to write about them. In a way the book was healing for me, while at other times it opened some wounds that had taken years to heal. The book wasn’t written for me though, I wrote it for you. I hope that by sharing my own story in such detail and honesty that it just might help those that need it most. It just might give them hope. If you go to www.bullyingendshere.ca, you can find out pricing and also I would be happy to autograph them as well. I can also tell you that every cent goes directly to the charity. These would make a great gift for the office, your clients or even just yourself. I hope you will enjoy it. Please email me at any time for more information. I’m always available at tad@bullyingendshere.ca.

Please join me in wearing Pink and making a #PinkShirtPromise, not just on February 24th, but any day that you want. Let’s show those around us that they have our support, our leadership and our love. Let’s work together to make this world a better place. Together, we will not only change lives, but SAVE them!

Courtesy of Tad Milmine, Founder – Bulling Ends Here