BBBS Prince George executive director Tim Bennett – photo 250News

Prince George, B.C. – Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) Prince George has organized a barbecue today to mark Pink Shirt Day.

The event will be held at Integris Credit Union at 5th and Central from 11-2 with all proceeds going towards mentoring programs here in Prince George.

Executive Director Tim Bennett says this is the third straight year the organization has spearheaded Pink Shirt Day initiatives and believes it’s making a difference.

“We have seen the effects of mentoring, both on those children who happen to be bullied but also the positive effects on those who happen to be the bully.”

But he says there’s still work to be done.

“We have seen over the years a huge increase in the number of children in our community who do not have a positive, consistent role model in their life,” says Bennett.

“Someone to hang out with, someone to talk to and that’s part of the reason why we’ve really got behind Pink Shirt Day, because we know the impacts a mentor can have in a child’s life.”