The Canadian Red Cross in partner with the Yorkton Regional High School made a request of Yorkton Council at its regular meeting Monday to declare today (Feb. 24), Pink Day in the city.
Pink Day is an annual bullying awareness day celebrated across Canada to help communities come together and take a stand against bullying. Her in Yorkton, we have been recognizing the day for the past four years, explained presenter Melanie Horton with the Canadian Red Cross.
This year the organizers will be hosting an inaugural Pink Day Rally.
This year’s event will be at the Yorkton Regional High School and students from the school will be volunteering on the day of, offered Horton.
Venhkata Mahankali, a student at YRHS explained Pink Day grew out of the efforts of two high school students.
David Shepherd, Travis Price and their teenage friends in Nova Scotia organized a high-school protest to wear pink in sympathy with a Grade 9 boy who was being bullied for wearing a pink shirt, he explained. From that effort the idea of Pink Day has spread internationally.
“Bullying affects every community and can have a devastating effect on children and youth, families and communities,” said Mahankali in presenting the proclamation.
“People can put a stop to bullying when they know how to recognize it, how to stand up for themselves and others, and where to go for help.”
The day itself is about awareness.
“Red Cross Pink Day brings attention to the need to stand up to bullying and shows support for people who are bullied,” said Mahankali. “By participating in Red Cross Pink Day and learning about bullying prevention we show our support and help to put a stop to bullying in our province …”
“Red Cross Pink Day, along with Canadian Red Cross bullying prevention training will raise awareness of bullying and help children, youth and adults in our community stand up for each other and create a safer environment for all.”
