The anti-bullying message is spreading across Prince Edward Island, at least in terms of T-shirt sales.
Trevor Carroll, who is with Mark’s Work Wearhouse, reports sales are extremely strong at its stores in Charlottetown and Summerside.
The clothing outlet is selling pink T-shirts to create awareness for Pink Shirt Day on Feb. 27. The shirts, which come in sizes for all ages, retail for $10. A portion of the proceeds is going to the local anti-bullying campaign.
Charlottetown city council and city staff were wearing the T-shirt at council’s regular public monthly meeting on Monday night but the message got a little mixed up the next day. The Guardian ran a picture of Roy Main, chief administrative officer with the city, but instead of saying the message was anti-bullying the caption on the picture indicated it was to support the fight against breast cancer.
Carroll said Mark’s Work Wearhouse wants to make sure the message continues to get out.
“It’s basically raising awareness to the cause, that it’s not acceptable in today’s society,’’ Carroll said.
He said the good news is that Mark’s Work Wearhouse is having trouble keeping the T-shirt in stock.
“The biggest thing has been trying to keep them in stock. It’s picking up steam as it goes along,’’ Carroll said, referring to sales. “Almost every day we’re having to place more orders to stay on top of it.’’
That means awareness is increasing and the message is getting out.
“You think of kids in school and how it starts at a young age but it’s more important that the adults support (anti-bullying efforts) so that they don’t condone the behaviour.’’
Carroll said they’re getting lots of support from businesses on the Island.
“People are coming in and buying 24 (T-shirts) and 36 (T-shirts) and upwards. We’re seeing that on a steady basis. It’s just continuing to grow and I expect it to explode within the next week.”
