CKNW Kids’ Fund is looking to connect with Indigenous artists throughout BC who are interested in submitting a design for our upcoming Pink Shirt Day campaign in February 2024. Our Pink Shirt Day Campaign is the largest in North America and is at the forefront of this growing movement to raise awareness and funds for anti-bullying initiatives. Since 2008, net proceeds of close to $2.7 million have
been distributed to support youth anti-bullying programs in British Columbia and throughout Western Canada.
A Corus initiative, the campaign runs throughout the month of February on CKNW, our sister radio stations, and Global BC. Our retail partner, London Drugs, distributes the shirts and merchandise throughout their stores in BC, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. With tens of thousands of shirts being sold each year, the creative is a vital component of our campaign and helps to share the message of spreading kindness and “Lift Each Other Up”.
About Pink Shirt Day:
Now a movement celebrated across the globe, Pink Shirt Day has humble beginnings. Inspired by an act of kindness in small-town Nova Scotia, CKNW Kids’ Fund, working with partners Boys & Girls Clubs and 980 CKNW, was inspired to raise funds to support anti-bullying programs. Here is a snippet of an article detailing the original incident:
“David Shepherd, Travis Price and their teenage friends organized a high-school protest to wear pink in sympathy with a Grade 9 boy who was being bullied [for wearing a pink shirt]…[They] took a stand against bullying when they protested against the harassment of a new Grade 9 student by distributing pink T-shirts to all the boys in their school. ‘I learned that two people can come up with an idea, run with it, and it can do wonders,’ says Mr. Price, 17, who organized the pink protest. ‘Finally, someone stood up for a weaker kid.’ So, Mr. Shepherd and some other headed off to a discount store and bought 50 pink tank tops. They sent out message to schoolmates that night, and the next morning they hauled the shirts to school in a plastic bag. As they stood in the foyer handing out the shirts, the bullied boy walked in. His face spoke volumes. ‘It looked like a huge weight was lifted off his shoulders,’ Mr. Price recalled. The bullies were never heard from again.”
After David and Travis’ act of kindness in 2007, CKNW was inspired to help other youth affected by bullying, with many staff members wearing pink shirts and collecting funds to support Boys and Girls Clubs. Since then, the idea has only grown each year, with worldwide support and participation. Countries across the globe are now organizing anti-bullying fundraisers of their own, including Japan, New Zealand, China, Panama, and numerous others. In fact, last year alone, people in almost 180 countries shared their support of Pink Shirt Day through social media posts and donations.
The Creative Request:
For the 2024 Pink Shirt campaign we would like to highlight an Indigenous design that represents kindness, collaboration, and empathy. This design will be showcased through:
• All Pink Shirt Day merchandise sold at Western Canada London Drugs locations and our online store
• Corus Entertainment brands including 980CKNW, 99.3 CFOX, ROCK101.1, and Global BC • Lamar Advertising bus advertisements throughout the Lower Mainland
• Black Press Media news outlets throughout the province
The CKNW Kids’ Fund would be proud to highlight the artist during the campaign, along with an opportunity to be interviewed on 980CKNW, and to speak at our annual Pledge Day in November. There is also an opportunity to have a story of Global BC.
As a registered non-profit organization, proceeds from our fundraising initiatives are dispersed to children and worthy organizations throughout BC, however there may be an opportunity for monetary compensation for this project.
Artists are encouraged to share a brief portfolio of their work with Sara Dubois-Phillips, Executive Director of the CKNW Kids’ Fund, at sara.dubois-phillips@cknw.com.
The final design from the selected artist will be due early August 2023.
We thank you for your time and consideration.
Kind regards,
Sara Dubois-Phillips
Executive Director
For More information please contact:
Katelynn Potter
Fund Development Manager
CKNW Kids’ Fund
Mobile: 778-888-9277 7850 Enterprise Street, Burnaby, BC V5A 1V7