This year, the national date for the annual anti-bullying campaign Pink Shirt Day falls right in the middle of Airdrie's reading week, posing a unique problem for groups organizing events.

Jessica Nash at the Boys and Girls Club in Airdrie said they have decided to hold their Pink Shirt Day event tonight (February 17).

"We decided to do something a little bit different because we were a little bit fearful that we wouldn't get a lot of participants coming while they had the week off."

The Boys and Girls Club will host a youth dance, the Pink Party, for students in grades 7 to 12. Food and beverages will be provided, and Mayor Peter Brown will even make an appearance.

According to Nash, many schools in Airdrie are getting around the scheduling problem by holding their Pink Shirt Day after reading week when school resumes.

Nash explained it is important to promote the event, since bullying is becoming more prevalent, especially on social media.

"It's really important to bring awareness, even to the people that are doing the bullying, that it has to stop. It's okay to be different, and we celebrate everyong for being different here at the Boys and Girls Club."

Tonight's dance will run from 6:00pm to 10:00pm at the Boys and Girls Centre at 200 East Lake Crescent. The cost is $2, but the fee will be waived if you are wearing pink.

Pink shirts are available for sale from the Boys and Girls Club as well as London Drugs, with proceeds going to the Boys and Girls Club.

 

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