West Bend Area Businesses Cash-In For "Kindness in the Classroom" Campaign
WEST BEND, Wis., Dec. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Local citizens and businesses of West Bend have joined efforts to promote kindness and empathy in the classroom by donating funds to send the district's 6th grade students to see the movie Wonder at the local West Bend Cinema.
Based on the New York Times bestseller, Wonder tells the inspirational tale of a middle school boy with severe facial differences, who attends a mainstream school for the first time.
The movie walks us through this boy's personal experiences and his challenges. It encourages empathy among peers and celebrates that kids can rise up against bullying toward themselves or their classmates.
West Bend Cinema, a locally owned movie theatre in West Bend, saw an opportunity to bring the community together and for a great cause.
"We wanted to get every 6th grader in our local school district to come and see this heart-warming and emotionally educational movie," said Laura Mitchell, Director of Business Development for West Bend Cinema. "Kids have unique perspectives of their own worlds, and it's critical for them to better understand the different experiences and perspectives of their peers."
According to a 2016 UCLA study, 28% of middle schoolers felt they had been bullied at some point, while 33% had admitted to bullying others at least once, and 70% of teens had seen others being bullied. The most shocking report was that when someone intervenes, bullying stops within 10 seconds in more than half the incidents. This means that students stepping in to help one another could severely reduce bullying in our schools, leading to a better post-school life.
"I feel it is our responsibility to give back to the community. Real and lasting impact occurs when everyone acts intentionally with kindness," said school board member Tonnie Schmidt, co-owner of Delta Defense. "It costs nothing to offer a kind word or a smile, and it can really change someone's day"
"Our schools are a fundamental building block for a healthy community," said Serigraph Chairman, John Torinus. "Serigraph and other employers need to support initiatives that make schools better, safer places for learning."
The entire 6th grade class from Silverbrook Intermediate School, 456 students, will be attending the movie Wonder at the West Bend Cinema - Off Paradise on Wednesday, December 20th. Local West Bend sponsors include: West Bend Cinema - Off Paradise, Delta Defense, West Bend Mutual, Serigraph, Volunteer Center of Washington County, Johnson Bus, GrandCare Systems, Laura Mitchell Consulting, and A Conversation Piece.
About West Bend Cinema
West Bend Cinema is an independently owned and operated, 10-screen, first run movie theatre serving the greater West Bend, Wisconsin area. West Bend Cinema shows movies, hosts private corporate events, birthday parties and more. For more information visit www.westbendcinema.com. Movie Hotline: 262-334-0501 or General Info: 262-334-0477
Media Contact: Laura Mitchell, Laura Mitchell Consulting, 262-707-6726, [email protected]
News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com
SOURCE West Bend Cinema
News published on and distributed by:
