Lloydminster residents opened their wallets to support an initiative focused on compassion and acceptance.
“Everything sold out this year entirely,” says Lloydminster & District Co-op Marketing and Communications Manager Kristine Knourek.
The Co-op made $3,300 through sales of the Kindness Wins merchandise this year. The money raised will go towards Beyond Borders Circle of Change and their Kindness Wins grants for next year. Two dollars from every hoodie and $1 from t-shirt, toque and bib sales were given to the grants.
Knourek says they tried new designs and colours for this year’s merchandise, including baby bibs, all of which were popular.
“I think the black was very popular when it first launched, however, as time went on and we got closer to Pink Shirt Day people really started picking it up and by the time the day rolled around we were completely sold out of everything.”
Another great success was with their logo contest which Knourek says could happen again next year.
“We’ll be looking to get some feedback from our membership and from the public regarding what they would like to see for 2021.”
While the initiative began with Pink Shirt Day, it has now spread to a month-long campaign advocating for change within the community by promoting a positive and inclusive message.
“It’s not just a day where we throw on a certain colour and decide to be kind to one another. It is really a lifestyle choice and it is a movement towards kindness, respect and inclusion. Beyond Borders Circle of Change said it really well. They said kindness is the antidote to bullying.”
The campaign has raised nearly $30,000 since it began in 2011 and had schools and organizations throughout the city join in on the campaign.