Campbell school speaker to offer anti-bullying talk

Staff report

Campbell

From 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, parents and administrators will host Doug Merrill, president and founder of Power UP Foundation, www.powerupfoundation.com at Campbell Elementary School, 2002 Community Circle, in the cafeteria.

Merrill will present a message to the families of students at Campbell Elementary focused on anti-bullying and suicide prevention.

Born in Toledo, Merrill teaches students to believe in themselves and to understand their importance in life.

Merrill, a former teacher and baseball coach, talks to students and their families about witnessing eight tragedies throughout his life, all involving friends who are no longer around.

When Merrill was 13, a family friend committed suicide. The next two happened when he was 16, when a girlfriend and best friend took their lives.

In a period of six years, he lost several student players to suicide. Merrill strategically relates these stories to students, without the gore, and helps them understand how, through tragedy, one can find a higher calling, as he did.

The event is free and open to all Campbell Elementary parents and students. Refreshments will be served. Community organizations such as Help Hotline, D&E Counseling, Neighborhood Ministries, Catholic Charities and Community Solutions will be on hand to discuss the services they provide.