Pink Shirt Day was created by two high school boys from Nova Scotia in 2007. A fellow student was being bullied because hewore a pink shirt on the first day of school. In response, the two bought and handed out 50 pink shirts as a show of solidaritywith the boy.
As a lead up to the annual event, Kootenay Savings Credit Union (KCSU) showed its support for Pink Shirt Day as it hosted a pinkshirt bingo at the Legion on Feb. 21.
“We wanted to support the anti-bullying program, so we bought shirts and decided we wanted to raise some funds for theprogram at the high school, so we decided to do bingo,” said Patsy Brinker of KCSU. “The Legion has drop-in bingo all the time,different groups can request to use it as a fundraiser, and that’s how we started.”
Those managing the event wore pink shirts in support of the evening.
There was a raffle table with prizes that included a portable coffee mug and coffee, a cake decorated in with pink sprinkles and aportable phone charger.
Food was available as well. Sandwiches, caramel corn, cookies, water, coffee, tea, and more were sold.
All proceeds raised from the event go to anti-bullying programs at Nakusp Secondary School.
The Legion was packed as people came in to play, with at least one person at every table.
Some in attendance were seasoned bingo players, while others had never played the game before.
“It’s been really fun,” said Aubin Coulthard. “I’ve never played bingo before, so it’s a learning experience for me.”
Coulthard has children in the school system, and thinks the night is a good way to bring awareness about bullying.
“They’ve had a little bit, nothing major. I think every child has been affected by bullying in one way or another over the years.”
Pink Shirt Day takes place on Feb. 24.