Posted at: 10/28/2012 10:33 PM
Updated at: 10/28/2012 10:35 PM
By: Brittany Lewis
Print Story
Email to a FriendCommunity Walks to End Bullying
(ABC 6 News) -- Sunday one group used the power of walking to send a message against bullying. Campaign For Kindness held a walk today in Albert Lea, to spread awareness about bullying in the community.
Wearing different types of shoes, a group of all different ages walked in sync with the same message, to end bullying. Leading the pack, 16-year-old Taylor McCullough, a victim of bullying himself.
"People would call me gay, because the way I dress, the way I talk, the way I do everything,” he said.
Because of that, he created Campaign for Kindness, an organization focused on ending bullying in schools. Local organizations donated to the walk and McCullough raised money through bracelet and necklace sales.
"I just said, hey this would be a great way to make money,” said McCullough.
That money will be used for things like kindness displays in schools. And to achieve McCullough’s goal of taking the campaign nationwide.
The walk also handed out information on signs that someone is being bullied. Some of the signs include change in appetite, declining grades, even not wanting to go to school at all.
"I did not want to go to school. I almost did not graduate because of it. I wouldn't do my homework, I didn't have the will to do it. I just wanted to stay home,” said KaLynn Johnson.
Johnson was bullied in high school because of her weight.
"It made me feel bad about myself like everything she was saying like made me think oh maybe this is true,” she said.
She found comfort in such a large group of people walking with a common cause.
"To know that there all to support against bullying,” she added.
And McCullough will continue to send his message until bullying is no more.
"Don't get down about it, stay up high."
He hopes to continue spreading anti-bullying awareness.
