The News Express featured a story in January 2005 on the ABC Anti-Bullying Campaign for Centre Wellington.  Organizers Kathy Onifrichuk and Constable Keith Robb, of the Ontario Provincial Police, were looking for local funding support to continue their heroic work in educating our community on the potentially deadly issue of bullying.  On the heels of the tsunami crisis, donations from major sponsors were unavailable. Since that time, the headlines have had three suicide deaths, all attributed to bullying, all in this country.  Fortunately, two local organizations recognized that the need for continued education and resources here at home was a worthwhile cause. 

 Vic Kelly, of Cooperators Insurance, through their corporate offices in Guelph, was pleased to present Kathy Onifrichuk and Constable Keith Robb with a cheque for $5000.00 on February 10^th.  The Cooperators had been a major sponsor of the program since it’s inception, helping to fund the creation of the ABC Anti-Bullying website, www.nobullying.ca, created early last year.  This website provides resources, and support to both victims of bullying, parents, teachers, and even bystanders of such abuse.  It’s success as an anonymous communication tool has helped to give many people the help they need to confront the issues of bullying, whether it be in schools, relationships or in the workplace.

 Kathy Onifrichuk is grateful for the continued support of Vic Kelly’s and the Cooperators Insurance. “The Cooperators were our major sponsor last year, and they’ve come back on board this year, which will help us keep our website on.  Now the website will be able to continue to grow, and keep going. Hopefully, this money will also allow us to bring back speakers and do some workshops.” 

 Fergus Legion Branch 275 has also recognized the importance of the ABC Anti-Bullying Campaign with a cheque for $800.00.  Onifrichuk hopes that their support will encourage other groups, be it corporate or local organizations, to get involved in putting an end to bullying, on any level, in this community.  “We would like to hopefully deal with workplace bullying too.”

 Resource materials, like hand-outs and posters will also be purchased with monies raised. 

 If you, or someone you care about, is the victim of bullying, their website www.nobullying.ca can help you.  Organizations interested in helping the ABC Anti-Bullying Campaign of Centre Wellington can contact Robb and Onifrichuk through this address as well.