NEW YORK, Oct. 2, 2017 – In honor of October’s National Bullying Prevention Month, STOMP Out Bullying™, the leading national nonprofit dedicated to changing the culture for all students, calls on the nation to support their mission by raising awareness around the need to develop a society focused on kindness and inclusivity. Throughout the month the organization will raise much needed awareness for the cultural shift with various activations, partnerships and celebrity support.
“We have always been an organization dedicated to spreading kindness and preventing bullying and cyberbullying. However, this year, we were driven more than ever to help communities, youth, students and society to realize that what we really need is to change the culture from one of cruelty to one of civility,” said Ross Ellis, CEO and Founder of STOMP Out Bullying™. “This October, we mark 12 years as an organization, 12 years where we’ve spent unmeasurable hours dedicated to empowering today’s youth to stand tall and be respected. We hope that this October, we are able to once again help others around the world to understand the impact of standing shoulder to shoulder in unity.”
Blue Shirt Day® World Day of Bullying Prevention™:
The month will kick-off with STOMP Out Bullying™’s annual Blue Shirt Day® World Day of Bullying Prevention™ campaign. Held the first Monday of each October, this year October 2nd – the campaign signifies the importance of National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month. On this day, STOMP Out Bullying™ encourages everyone to “go blue” by wearing a blue shirt and making that the day that bullying prevention is heard around the world.
Turning the Country Blue:
This year, the organization has also called on national landmarks to “go blue” on Blue Shirt Day® World Day of Bullying Prevention™ and throughout the month. By turning their lights blue these landmarks are showing their commitment and support for the need to change the culture. Some of the landmarks turning their lights blue on October 2nd and throughout the month include:
New York City’s One World Trade
New York City’s Historic Stonewall Inn
New York’s Empire State Building – October 23rd on STOMP Out Bullying’s 12th Anniversary
Boston’s Prudential Center
Chicago’s Navy Pier
The Wrigley Building in Chicago
One Liberty Place in Philadelphia
Omni Hotel in Dallas
Orlando’s Coca-Cola Eye
Alberta’s Calgary Tower
Vancouver’s Olympic Cauldron
British Columbia’s BC Place Stadium
And many more…
Celebrity Support:
Celebrities from theater, movies and TV come out every year to make a statement against bullying by wearing a Blue Shirt on, Blue Shirt Day® World Day of Bullying Prevention™. This year is no different Taye Diggs, Debra Messing, Sheryl Crow, Melissa Joan Hart, Derek Hough, Dustin Lance Black, Kyra Sedgwick, Frank Grillo, Chris Sullivan Storm Reid, and more have all lent their voice to support the day. You can view all celebrity PSAs here.
12th Anniversary Benefit
In celebration of the organization’s 12th anniversary, STOMP Out Bullying™ will once again bring together celebrities, business leaders, and engaged citizens to recognize and support the organization’s progress towards Changing the Culture and putting an end to bullying and cyberbullying. This year the organization will honor David M. Hashmall Esq., Chairman, Goodwin, the cast of Dear Evan Hansen, and Empire State Realty Trust. The event will be held on October 23rd at 6:30 PM at the PH-D Rooftop Lounge at the Dream Downtown Hotel. You can learn more about supporting or registering for the event here.
Sheryl Crow
On October 23rd, Singer-songwriter and Grammy Award winner, Sheryl Crow will perform an intimate show benefitting STOMP Out Bullying at The Fonda Theatre in Hollywood, CA. You can buy tickets to the concert here. Sheryl is a passionate advocate for STOMP Out Bullying and has also lent her voice for Blue Shirt Day® World Day of Bullying Prevention™ as seen in her PSA here.
October’s National Bullying Prevention Month, is a key moment in time to raise awareness around these important issues. During each week in October students can participate in many activities to raise awareness of bullying prevention at school. Students can find more information at http://stompoutbullying.org/campaigns/national-bullying-prevention-awareness-month/ This issue is year-long and 24/7. To help support STOMP Out Bullying™ in their mission you can donate at WWW.STOMPOutBullying.org/Donate. Your donation will be used to support the organization’s HelpChat Line, in-school education, and other prevention programs; as well as public awareness and education, a dedicated website, brochures, Educator’s Bullying Prevention Toolkits and additional education and bullying prevention resources and materials.