On the last week of February the Penetanguishene Library is going pink. The local facility has joined a national incentive to "promote and support" awareness about bullying in schools, workplaces, homes, and over the Internet where it is becoming a major issue.

The last Wednesday of February is known as Anti-Bullying Day in Canada and also 'Pink Shirt Day'. Originally started as a protest against a bullying incident at a Nova Scotia high school (Central Kings Rural High School), on this day participants are asked to wear pink to symbolize a stand against bullying and it has caught on across the country. On February 29, 2012 Canadians can wear something pink to symbolize that as a society we will not tolerate bullying anywhere. North Simcoe residents can learn more about Pink Shirt Day at Penetanguishene Library.

"Not only is our staff will be wearing pint shirts at the library from February 27 -29 but we will have several draws for pink shirts to give away. Children with library cards can put a ballot in the draw box to try and win. The ballot will ask them about their opinion of bullying," said Janet Ryan, Head of Public and Technical Services/Directrice des services publique et techniques.

"The draw for the shirts will take place on February 24th so the kids who win can wear them to school the next week. Comments from the ballots will be posted on the board in the library. We have become involved in Pink shirt Day more as an incentive to bring awareness. This program is being sponsored by the Friends of the Penetaguishene Library."

Many people believe, likely because they experienced it themselves, that bullying is a "rite of passage" for kids required in order to deal with the tough realities of life. But it doesn't have to be that way.

The original event was organized by two students David Shepherd and Travis Price, from Nova Scotia.

They bought and distributed 50 pink shirts after a student was bullied for wearing a pink shirt on the first day of school.

In 2008, Premier of British Columbia, Gordon Campbell proclaimed February 27 to be the provincial anti-bullying day. It was then celebrated on February 25 in 2009. In 2009, the boys and girls club worked on pink T-shirts that said "Bullying Stops Here" and "Pink Shirt Day" for Anti-Bullying Day and the movement has grow. Last year over 160,000 people committed on Facebook to wear pink and help stop bullying.

Shirts and other clothing items with messages can spread love not hate. They can be self-made and designed by a participating community, or ordered on-line, either way it gets the message across about not bullying, one person can change many, many can change a state, a state can change the nation, and the nation can change the world. You can learn more about Pink Shirt Day at: www.pinkshirtday.ca.

Anti-bullying day consists of a number of different fun activities that can be at schools, work places, or anywhere acceptable. A popular activity is 'Battle of the Bands' where people can invite local bands to perform in the name of abolishing bullying. It is encouraged that the bands could possible write a song about preventing bullying. The crowd can than get involved by voting on the best song, based on creativity and focus. There are competitions hosted as well where students can create an anti-bullying message presented in an imaginative way on a t-shirt, poster, bumper sticker, pocket card, badge, or magnet.

Pink Shirt Day participants can create displays for the community to see just like the Penetanguishene Library is doing.

Challenge your friends and co-workers to commit to a bully-free lifestyle

and wear pink this Feb 29th , share the Pink Shirt Day Public Service Announcement (PSA) on your Facebook wall or twitter account view it here or over in the right margin ( www.facebook.com/pinkshirtday). You can upload a picture of you, your school, your work, your friends on Twitter wearing pink on Feb 29th -tag it with #PSD2012 and mention @pinkshirtday or email to: photos@pinkshirtday.ca . You can share and re-tweet messages from @pinkshirtday on Twitter ( www.twitter.com/pinkshirtday).

Net proceeds from Pink Shirt Day activities & t-shirt sales benefit the CKNW Orphans' Fund in support of Boys & Girls Clubs Anti-Bullying programs.