Next month is Do It For Dolly Day!
Every year in May we see thousands of our wonderful community come together to remember Dolly, participate in fundraising activities to help support the important anti-bullying work we do and share the Dolly’s Dream message to be kind and speak even if your voice shakes, and we can’t wait to do it all again.
Do It For Dolly Day is on Friday 12 May 2023 and we’re calling on you to help make Dolly’s own dream of a kinder and safer world for Australia’s kids and communities a reality.
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Get involved in Do It For Dolly Day
Taking part in Do It For Dolly Day is a great way to engage your staff or bring your local community or school together by holding an event to support Dolly’s Dream to help spread kindness and break the silence around bullying.
If you’re planning on participating in Do It For Dolly Day, please register your fundraising activity by completing the form and telling us about your plans.
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GET IN QUICK!
The cut-off date for Do It For Dolly Day merchandise orders is Tuesday 25 April.
Click here to place your order from Bairnsdale Horse Centre today.
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Featured Do It For Dolly Day Community Supporter
This is the third year Donna has run the Boolarra community event to support Do It For Dolly Day. Donna is passionate about raising awareness of the serious issue of bullying within the Boolarra community. Each year Donna’s Do It For Dolly Day Boolarra community event has gone from strength to strength, raising awareness of the serious issue of bullying.
Read Donna’s story below.
“After watching Dolly’s emotional story on A Current Affair program, I felt a profound connection to Do It For Dolly Day. Having endured bullying during my own school years, I understood the lasting impact it could have. My son, who experienced bullying at two different primary schools, suffered from anxiety as a result. Recognising that today’s youth may face even more harmful behaviour through social media and technology, I felt compelled to raise awareness and prevent the cycle of trauma from being passed down.
Last year, I approached my son’s school to organise a Do It For Dolly Day event. The school embraced the idea, and the students eagerly decorated the school, wore blue, and participated in activities. We even invited a neighbouring school, local police, and fire department to join the festivities.
The local police officer spoke with the kids about bullying, and they excitedly tried on his police vest. We held raffles, took a butterfly photo on the oval, and had Bunnings come to paint rocks with the kids, sharing laughter and joy throughout the day.
The reality is that raising greater awareness about bullying is crucial. My focus is not on shaming people but educating them about the effects of such behaviour on all those involved, both the affected individuals and those acting out. Through Do It For Dolly Day, I aim to address how to break this repetitive pattern through education and foster more compassion and understanding in these situations. This is what truly motivates me.
Despite the limited time, the high school held an event on Do It For Dolly Day last year. I organised a community night in just two weeks, featuring live music, market stalls, food vans, raffles, and fun. We raised an impressive $2,858, showcasing the power of our community.
This year I am organising a community day at the local football grounds, featuring market stalls, food trucks, car and bike displays, live music, raffles, emergency services, virtual reality experiences for teens, and a photo booth. We’ll have dinner, drinks, live music, and door prizes in the club rooms in the evening. We hope to raise over $3,000 with our caring community’s support.
I’m honoured to continue supporting Dolly’s Dream and offer my help in any way possible. My compassionate 13-year-old son has suggested ideas for next year’s event. Due to Gippsland’s weather, we might need to hold the fundraiser earlier in the year, but we’re excited about the possibilities. I’m open to any opportunities to contribute to Dolly’s Dream with warmth and dedication.”
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Do It For Dolly Day Kindness activities and resources
We have a huge range of kindness activities for children and young people that teachers and parents can download to help share the Dolly’s Dream message to be kind and speak even if your voice shakes.
They are available to use right now! There are over 20 activities to choose from and are suitable for early primary to secondary age groups.
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Do It For Dolly Day Kindness Workshops
Dolly’s Dream will be offering 30-minute online sessions for schools and businesses that register to be part of Do It For Dolly Day.
Students will be offered sessions all about the importance of being kind to others and to oneself. There will be 3 sessions offered on the day, lower primary, upper primary and secondary.
For businesses, we will be facilitating a 30-minute online session for parents, covering how parents can support their child or young person to navigate the complexities of their digital world.
