New Rochelle, N.Y. – Over twelve hundred students at Albert Leonard Middle School, all dressed in blue, took a stand against bullying today. In conjunction with Blue Shirt Day® World Day of Bullying Prevention, Armour® teamed up with STOMP Out Bullying to host a Pep Rally and educate the students on bullying and cyberbullying prevention. Helping bring national attention to today's event was an appearance and some words of advice from EXTRA Television show host and actor Mario Lopez.
Together with representatives from Armour, STOMP Out Bullying and Albert Leonard Middle School, Lopez addressed the students about the importance of bullying prevention and answered questions on what they can do to create a bully-free environment.
"Bullying has reached epidemic proportions with one in four young people being bullied," said Lopez. "Through the efforts of organizations like STOMP Out Bullying and advocates like Armour, we are raising awareness and teaching children important skills to combat this problem. I'm proud to team up with them for this Pep Rally and Blue Shirt Day® World Day of Bullying Prevention to do my part to help stop bullying."
Albert Leonard Middle School was selected as the site of the Pep Rally because of the school's involvement and progress in anti-bullying efforts.
"Middle School is a wonderful time for students to discover who they are as people and to explore their likes and dislikes," said John Barnes, principal of Albert Leonard Middle School. "That being said, it is often a time where many students feel isolated and alone. Bullying can often be the cause of kids not feeling special and embracing themselves as the wonderful individuals they are. With social media and technology being so readily accessible, bullying can happen in ways which look quite different than when I was growing up. We need to insure our students are prepared to address these situations and work together to turn all the bystanders into upstanders. The future of our country rests in the hands of our youth. We are committed to changing the future for all our kids with the help of Stomp Out Bullying and the generous contributions made by Armour to celebrate our progress to date and our mission to eradicate bullying of all kinds."
Armour and STOMP Out Bullying have teamed up with a national partnership to drive awareness of bullying and cyberbullying prevention. Armour, part of the John Morrell Food Group, a subsidiary of Smithfield Foods, Inc., has donated $75,000 to the organization and is driving awareness via specially-marked packages of top-selling Armour LunchMakers and BreakfastMakers varieties, in-store signage and social media.
In addition, at today's rally, students received official STOMP Out Bullying World Day of Bullying Prevention blue t-shirts and wristbands, Armour-branded lunch bags and samples of Armour LunchMakers and BreakfastMakers.
"Today, people across the world are joining together in a sea of blue shirts to make waves in support of anti-bullying and anti-cyberbullying," said Charles Gitkin, vice president, marketing, innovation and R&D for the John Morrell Food Group. "Armour is a brand that is embraced by families and kids across the country, and we are proud to do our part in addressing this important issue which affects so many people. Through education and awareness, we will help STOMP Out Bullying, and spread this important message to those that need it most."
Blue Shirt Day® World Day of Bullying Prevention was established by STOMP Out Bullying in 2008 as a mechanism to engage kids, teens, and adults around the world in anti-bullying and cyberbullying efforts. Held on the first Monday of each October to coincide with National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month, the initiative encourages people of all ages to wear blue shirts in a demonstration of solidarity and to take action and make that the day that bullying prevention is heard around the world.
"Blue Shirt Day® World Day of Bullying Prevention is the most important day on the calendar for STOMP Out Bullying," said Ross Ellis, the organization's founder and CEO. "On this day everyone can show their commitment to stand up against bullying. To see this spirited, empowered ground of young people from Albert Leonard Middle School and recognize the difference that they are making, individually and collectively, is a great reminder of the role each of us can play in helping to end this epidemic that is tormenting our young people. We're grateful for the support from Armour and Mario to help us continue to build awareness and educate students and the public about all forms of bullying."
For more information on Armour and its LunchMakers and BreakfastMakers products please visit, www.lunchmakers.com or www.facebook.com/ArmourMeats.
About Armour
With America's favorite frozen meatballs, LunchMakers and BreakfastMakers portable meal kits, and pepperoni products, Armour® is proud to be a trusted brand that provides convenient, delicious and affordable meal options for smart, sensible families since 1867.
About John Morrell Food Group
With over a century and a half of experience, John Morrell Food Group brands have become respected and well known for providing premium-quality meat products to families across the United States. With products ranging from lunchmeat and franks to smoked sausage, bacon and pepperoni, the John Morrell Food Group is an important part of consumers' mealtimes. The John Morrell Food Group offers several national and regional brands including Armour®, Eckrich®, John Morrell®, Curly's®, Patrick Cudahy®, Carando®, Healthy Ones®, Margherita® , Kretschmar® and LunchMakers®.
About Smithfield Foods
Smithfield Foods is a $14 billion global food company and the world's largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including Smithfield®, Eckrich®, Farmland®, Armour®, Cook's®, Gwaltney®, John Morrell®, Kretschmar®, Curly's®, Carando®, Margherita®, and Healthy Ones®. Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental, and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com and www.smithfieldcommitments.com.
About STOMP Out Bullying
STOMP Out Bullying™ is the leading national anti-bullying/cyberbullying organization for kids and teens in the U.S. It focuses on reducing and preventing bullying, cyberbullying, sexting and other digital abuse, educating against homophobia, racism and hatred, decreasing school absenteeism, and deterring violence in schools, online and in communities across the country. It teaches effective solutions on how to respond to all forms of bullying. It educates kids and teens in school and online, provides help for those in need and at risk of suicide, raises awareness, conducts peer mentoring programs in schools, creates and distributes public service announcements by noted celebrities, and engages in social media campaigns. An additional focus educates parents on how to keep their children safe and responsible online.
Source: Smithfield Foods
