Crusaders Against Bullying SFTS is an anti-bullying group that is based out of Palmyra. The Crusaders are a chapter of the national group, Stand For The Silent, which was started in 2010 by a group of high school students in Oklahoma City, Okla. The students started this group in honor of Ti-Field Smalley, whom at 11 years old took his own life after being suspended from school for retaliating against a bully. Stand For The Silent, along with the story of Ti-Field Smalley, has inspired many people nation wide to start a chapter.
Throughout the United States alone, Stand For the Silent has reached more than 1,000 schools and spoken to more than 1,000,000 children, adults and faculty about the grueling reality of bullying, and saved countless lives.
Throughout the United States alone, Stand For the Silent has reached more than 1,000 schools and spoken to more than 1,000,000 children, adults and faculty about the grueling reality of bullying, and saved countless lives.
It has been the goal of all Stand For The Silent chapters to offer education and tools that help to prevent bullying from happening inside and outside of schools. It is both Stand For The Silent’s Goal and The Crusaders Against Bullying SFTS’ goal to make a stand in our community against bullying, and no longer allow or turn our backs on it. They will, together with other community groups, make it known that bullying is not tolerated in our schools and our community. They work hard every day to promote awareness and educate children, parents, and the community on bullying and self-harm.
The Crusaders Against Bullying SFTS started as a chapter in Palmyra in February of 2015 by president Gary Dunkin, who was inspired by Ti’s story and wanted to make a local impact throughout the community that he lives and works in. Together, with the board members of the Crusaders, he has made it his goal to help out any child throughout the country that feels that they have no one or nowhere to turn to in those hard times.
Many late nights have been spent talking to these children on social media and phone calls, so that they feel secure and feel like they have someone that they can trust when they just need someone to talk to about what’s going on in their lives.
The Crusaders have worked really hard to try and get into our local schools to raise awareness about the effects of bullying and to teach children how to handle the different types of situations that occur when a child is being bullied. They have done multiple presentations including: the ELCO School District, Paxton Church Of The Brethren in Harrisburg, and also Hershey’s local girl scouts and boy scouts and are hoping to do many more within the coming year.
If you were interested in helping out with this cause, the Crusaders Against Bullying SFTS is having their annual benefit fair on Saturday, October 22 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. outside of the Palmyra American Legion at 975 East Main Street, Palmyra.
There will be five different bands playing throughout the day, as well as a local DJ. This event will also feature guest speaker Kirk Smalley, who is an anti-bullying advocate and is also Ti-Field Smalley’s father. His presentation will take place at 12 p.m. that afternoon. Throughout the day there will be raffles, games, a costume contest for children ages 0-12, pumpkin painting, food vendors and more. The event is FREE admission, however, donations are appreciated.
There will be five different bands playing throughout the day, as well as a local DJ. This event will also feature guest speaker Kirk Smalley, who is an anti-bullying advocate and is also Ti-Field Smalley’s father. His presentation will take place at 12 p.m. that afternoon. Throughout the day there will be raffles, games, a costume contest for children ages 0-12, pumpkin painting, food vendors and more. The event is FREE admission, however, donations are appreciated.
Interested in learning more about this cause? What about in making a difference within your community? Please contact Gary Dunkin at 717-644-2663 or gary1inpa@aol.com. You may also visit our website at www.crusadersagainstbullyingsfts.com for more information.
