Again, Malls & Retailers Unite Against Bullying is coming to Meadowbrook Mall in connection with National Bullying Prevention Month.

 

As part of that observance, Kindness Saturday will be held tomorrow, Oct. 22, at Sears Court. It’s an opportunity, Marketing Director Robin Urquhart said, to bring the community together and provide education about how bullying affects all of us.

 

“We view Meadowbrook Mall as a social hub, and would like to use our platform to benefit the community and end bullying,” she said. “With hundreds of people coming through our doors each day, we believe we can make a difference in many lives by supporting this cause.”

 

It is estimated that 160,000 children miss school every day due to fear of attack or intimidation by other students and one out of every seven students in grades K-12 is either a bully or a victim of bullying. Bullying can take the form of physical aggression, slurs, spreading rumors and exclusion. It can also cause long-term emotional problems for children, including depression and anxiety.

Standing up to bullying is an important concept to share.

 

“I think the most important message is that it’s ok to stand up for anyone that is being bullied. It shows character of strength, not weakness,” Urquhart said.

 

As has been part of the mall’s bullying awareness activities for the past few years – and who is always well received – is the black-tipped reef shark, Captain McFinn. He is the star of the children’s entertainment brand of the same name which aims at promoting kindness and friendship through technology and storytelling. In the series, Captain McFinn once exhibited bullying behaviors and transformed into a hero, friend and protector. Captain McFinn will be at Sears Court between noon and 2 p.m.

 

In addition to meeting and greeting children, he will encourage them to take the Kindness Pledge and invite them to place their handprints on the Kindness Wall.  There will be photo ops for both participating children and their parents. Free treats and a coloring station will also be part of the event.

 

Happening simultaneously with Kindness Saturday will be the mall’s Halloween Costume Contest. Sponsored by Cartoon Headquarters, registration will begin at noon with the contest at 1 p.m.

Prizes will be awarded for funniest, scariest, prettiest, ugliest, most original and best homemade costume in each age group – 3 years and under, 4-7 and 8-12 years old.

 

Combining the two special interest events will make for an informative and fun day for area children and their families, Urquhart said. It's been done before and was quite successful.

 

"The events really go hand in hand," she said. "We want kids to have fun with family and friends during the event and then walk away with the positive message that it’s cool to be kind!"