Lock Haven Parade Raises Awareness
By: Jim Madalinsky
Updated: December 3, 2012
LOCK HAVEN, CLINTON COUNTY - While the town of Lock Haven was ringing in the holiday season, some people were focused on raising awareness.
Three years ago 12 year old Maggie Kemp and 11 year old Megan Hill turned a girl scout project into an Anti-bullying Campaign that has grown into much more.
Kemp says, "We only had at the most 10 people but now on our facebook page we have over 1,000 people which is pretty cool."
16 year-old Kirsten McAndrew also didn't expect her group to become a part of a parade.
After seeing a string of teenage deaths, and negative Facebook posts, McAndrew turned to social media starting a group called "Never Too Late"
"I was wondering, why do people always wait until it's too late? Why do they always wait to say 'I wish i could have done this. I wish i could have made our friendship better?' So one night i was staying up late and I thought I want to be the one to change that," McAndrew says.
McAndrew's group now boasts a following of more than 2,000, and as she braved the cold to walk the streets of lock haven was happy to be able to help.
"It allows them to finally feel good about themselves, and just feel better about themselves," McAndrew says.
Both groups were surprised at how fast their ideas took off.
"We didn't think it would get this big so that it's in parades or anything, but i guess it turns out that we did," Kemp says.
And as they celebrate the holiday season, they hope their gift continues to give even after December ends.
"I've had a lot of people come to me and say I've been how's your problem and they've told me it was gone so i was really happy for them," Kemp says.
Three years ago 12 year old Maggie Kemp and 11 year old Megan Hill turned a girl scout project into an Anti-bullying Campaign that has grown into much more.
Kemp says, "We only had at the most 10 people but now on our facebook page we have over 1,000 people which is pretty cool."
16 year-old Kirsten McAndrew also didn't expect her group to become a part of a parade.
After seeing a string of teenage deaths, and negative Facebook posts, McAndrew turned to social media starting a group called "Never Too Late"
"I was wondering, why do people always wait until it's too late? Why do they always wait to say 'I wish i could have done this. I wish i could have made our friendship better?' So one night i was staying up late and I thought I want to be the one to change that," McAndrew says.
McAndrew's group now boasts a following of more than 2,000, and as she braved the cold to walk the streets of lock haven was happy to be able to help.
"It allows them to finally feel good about themselves, and just feel better about themselves," McAndrew says.
Both groups were surprised at how fast their ideas took off.
"We didn't think it would get this big so that it's in parades or anything, but i guess it turns out that we did," Kemp says.
And as they celebrate the holiday season, they hope their gift continues to give even after December ends.
"I've had a lot of people come to me and say I've been how's your problem and they've told me it was gone so i was really happy for them," Kemp says.
