One Direction are once again using their star power to help change the world in a positive way! This time, they are teaming up with the Office Depot Foundation for the “Be The Difference. Speak Up Against Bullying!” program.
This new educational program will be travelling to middle schools across the United States throughout the school year. The program is designed to teach students to be nicer to one another, even if they are mean to you, and to also give students the courage to report bullying when they see it.
One Direction created a line of limited edition school supplies that will be sold exclusively at Office Depot, for what they are calling the 1D + OD Together Against Bullying campaign. Money from the line will go towards funds for the program.
On Twitter, the band used the hashtag #together in order to promote their line. Directioners followed suit, using #together in anti-bullying pictures or pictures with the products on Twitter and Instagram. Office Depot created a page on their website where fans can see what other fans are posting using the hashtag.
Brooks Gibbs, a youth crisis counselor and bullying expert, will lead the travelling program. He will speak to students, as well as teachers, parents and administrators. One of his messages is a reworded version of the Golden Rule – “treat everyone like friends – even your enemies.”
Though One Direction are busy on their world tour and can’t travel with Brooks Gibbs to schools, the presentations will feature video footage of 1D!
Watch a video PSA from One Direction below!