Ben & Jerry’s in Nocatee teamed up with Bikers Against Bullies to remind the community to be sweet to people while offering them a sweet treat as part of the annual Free Cone Day on April 8.
For the second straight year, they partnered with Bikers Against Bullies to use the event not just to hand out free scoops of ice cream to show appreciation to their customers but also continue to make a positive impact within the community.
“We had a few incidences at the store with kids coming in and bullying our servers because we have our inclusivity flag hanging up in the store,” said Jessica Shaw, Ben & Jerry’s Nocatee owner. “I really like the way they (Bikers Against Bullies) handle it because it’s not about right or left but it focuses on how we treat people. I just love working with them and that they’re not pushing any agenda except to be kinder to each other.”
Part of raising awareness about bullying and striving to empower individuals to stand up against it was having several bikers of the organization on hand to share stories and offer photo opportunities with the “Bullydozer,” which according to Fred “Flash” Van de Perre, president and founder of USA, Bikers Against Bullies Worldwide, is probably the most well-known Can-Am with its paint job that makes it look like a bulldozer.
“Kids are constantly on the motorcycle, and they just love it because everyone thinks motorcycles are cool,” Van de Perre said. “Personally, I own 24 motorcycles, and about eight of those are dedicated to the kids and the mission. I have to re-paint them about every two years, but that’s what it’s all about.”
He founded Bikers Against Bullies about 14 years ago and the idea came about in a very grassroots way.
“I was a single dad at the time and the counselor at my kid’s school asked if I wanted to come and bring a motorcycle and be part of their anti-bullying day,” Van de Perre said. “So, we came up with the name and made up about 10,000 stickers and in 30 days they were gone. It was supposed to be a one-and-done, but now here we are as the largest free-standing anti-bullying campaign in America.”
The initiative started at a school and to this day Bikers Against Bullies still offers free anti-bullying assemblies at schools who reach out.
The organization consists of roughly 27,000 bikers across the country, and they have held assemblies at thousands of schools over the years.
“We bring in motorcycles, music and we celebrate empowerment,” Van de Perre said.
Any school looking to find out more or to schedule them for a future assembly can go to www.bikersagainstbulliesusa.com.
