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With the proliferation of social media, officials say the problem of bullying has become worse than ever.
The National Bullying Prevention Center has a remedy for those on the target end: The best thing someone can do if they're being bullied is to speak up and reach out.
To share that message and better equip kids, the center will hold a free anti-bullying event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 16, at the Shell Factory & Nature Park in North Fort Myers as part of National Anti-Bullying Month.
Attendees are encouraged to wear an orange shirt to show their bullying prevention commitment and sign to the unity banner for an event happening for the second straight year.
National Anti-Bullying Month is designed to prevent childhood bullying and promote kindness, acceptance and inclusion in schools, homes, and communities.
"We want to make children treat each other better. So, we'll have some of the animals come out and see them and we'll have an author read his book on bullying," said Anne Sheridan, general manager of the Shell Factory. "It's a great place for parents to take kids, especially if they have been bullied so they feel better about themselves. That's what it's about."
The first 100 children will receive free cotton candy and a free gift and will receive free admission into the nature park with the paid admission of an adult throughout the entire event.
School-aged kids will participate in activities including sidewalk chalking and an anti-bullying poster signing, a meet and greet with CrocaSonny, a free anti-bullying bracelet with a secret message, view a plant project donated by World Farms which you can take home with a small donation, a story time of "You're a Bullied CrocaGator" from the author, Kenny Rager, and much more.
The Shell Factory is at 16554 N. Cleveland Ave. For more, go to shellfactory.com.