Community To wear Orange in Support of Bully Free Schools
Santa Rosa Beach, Oct 1, 2015: Kellyanne Bartleson, Founder & Creator of online family resource guide, EmeraldCoastKids.org, announces the inaugural Emerald Coast Kids’ COLOR THE COAST ORANGE #UnityDay2015 on October 21st. 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 21st, 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 14th 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 21st, 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.’”
«About EmeraldCoastKids.org: Created in late 2014, EmeraldCoastKids.org is the most comprehensive, online family resource guide covering Okaloosa and Walton Counties. The website was designed to provide locals & visitors with up-to-date info on all things kids, teens & families. It includes links to events & local calendars; places & things to do (indoor/outdoor attractions, shopping, fishing, boating, beach cams); education (schools, bus info, calendars, STEM, special needs); child-care (baby-sitters, preschools); activities (lessons, sports, swim, art, drama, golf, music, sewing); birthday party ideas; teen issues (driving, college resources, mental health); summer (camp listings & vacation ideas); and other useful info such as emergency contacts, community service, fitness & nutrition, pet info, DIY/crafts, cooking/recipes, churches, kids eat free, happy hours and more. Working with local businesses to promote family-friendly events, ideas and services, ECK future plans include bringing awareness to issues affecting families such as teen self-harm/suicide, eating disorders, mental health and fitness & healthy living. For sponsorship info or free listings, visit www.emeraldcoastkids.org or contact Kellyanne at (850) 797-4656 or emeraldcoastkids@yahoo.com.
«About PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center: Founded in 2006, PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center provides resources and tools to address bullying in schools, the community and online. PACER recognizes bullying as a serious community issue that impacts education, physical and emotional health, and the safety and well-being of students. For more info, visit www.PACER.org/Bullying.
