OLDS — Once again, the Town of Olds is participating in Pink Shirt Day, a day to support kindness and show zero tolerance for bullying.
This year, Pink Shirt Day occurs on Wednesday, Feb. 23.
Council passed a motion declaring the day during a recent meeting.
On Feb. 23, all residents in the community are encouraged to wear something pink on that day “to symbolize that we as a society will not tolerate bullying anywhere,” a memo in council’s agenda package said.
“Wearing a pink shirt on this day sends a strong message that people care,” it added.
Town community facilitator Heather Dixon asked council for the declaration.
She said Pink Shirt Day arose from an incident in 2007 in Nova Scotia when a boy was harassed and threatened for wearing a pink shirt to school. Two other boys, David Shepherd and Travis Price, supported him.
Since then, Pink Shirt Day has not only spread across the country but across the globe.
“Last year alone, people in almost 180 countries shared their support of Pink Shirt Day through social media posts and donations,” the town memo said.
Dixon said she’d make sure that pink shirts were available for all Olds council members.
Council has recognized Pink Shirt Day in the community on the third Wednesday in February annually since 2018.
“Time to practise some kindness,” mayor Judy Dahl said.
