Over 8,000 public school students, school staff, volunteers and community members showed that they were “United Against Bullying” by wearing their neon orange t-shirts and planned activities on October 9th this year. There was much coverage in the local media and QACTV as well as Channel 2 news. The Queen Anne’s County Anti-Bullying Committee wanted to thank all participants and volunteers in helping to make this a spectacular day that showcased a vital message for our children and youth. Several community events were ongoing that day. Our Queen Anne Public Libraries had a banner for all patrons to make orange handprints showing solidarity in uniting against bullying. Wye River Upper School students also created a banner that stated “Bullying Stops with Me and the Family Center in Sudlersville had their very young charges spell out “Unity” while wearing orange. Many others participated as well such as the Partnering for Youth After-School programs and Day Care, Inc. To see more photographs go to FaceBook and search for Anti-bullying Committee in QAC.
The Committee would you to thank the sponsors who made the t-shirts possible: National Background Investigations, Rita’s Kent Island, Long and Foster Realtors Kent Island, Bay Area Pediatrics, Queenstown Bank, Bryan, Bryan, Bryan and Sons, Kent Island Cruisers, Elks USA, Sign Connection, Doc’s Riverside Grille. A huge thank you to our core group on the Anti-Bullying Committee who came when called and to our schools who planned great activities for the day. And a very huge thank you to our Unity Day chairs who made it happened: Linda Austin and Stephanie Jarrell. “If you dream it, you can do it.” (Walt Disney) This is a dream worth making happen.
If anyone is interested in helping to plan for next year or be a part of the Anti-Bullying Committee, contact Jacki Carter at 410-758-6677 or jcarter@qac.org.