To celebrate World Kindness Day, Vidant Health and the Eastern Carolina Injury Prevention Program (ECIPP) at Maynard’s Children Hospital at ECU Health Medical Center would like to recognize the students in the Pitt County Students Against Destructive Decision (SADD) program for their work bringing kindness and education to area schools.

Since its inception in 2016, Pitt County SADD has positively impacted more than 25,000 students, parents, and community members through school club meetings and events, community-based initiatives and social media interactions. Students have presented on destructive decisions at local and state conferences and been recognized on countless local, state and national platforms for their work promoting positive decision making in Pitt County.

While there have been obvious activities such as Kindness Campaigns, leaving sticky notes with positive messages and the painting of a rock with the motto “Be Kind. Be Strong. Be Smart.”, every activity, event,or engagement coordinated through Pitt County SADD carries the same overarching message of just “Be Kind”.

A highlight of SADD’s 2020 campaign for kindness included a brand new website, PittCountySadd.com, designed by The Oakwood School student and SADD Student Leader Ellie Osborne. The website currently covers five main content areas: Mental Health, Road Safety, Know Your Ws, Vaping, and Social Media Safety.

“As a part of my Girl Scout Gold Award, I created a website for all of Pitt County SADD,” Osborne said. “I am so excited and grateful that the website has officially launched, and hope that it remains a great resource for youth of all ages regarding physical and mental well-being and support.”

Pitt County SADD is funded by Children’s Miracle Network, Vidant Health Foundation, Pitt County ABC Board, and Pitt County Schools, and is in partnership with the Safe Communities Coalition and ECIPP. Pitt County SADD is a peer-led program that empowers young people to successfully confront the risks and pressures that challenge them throughout their daily lives. The mission is accomplished by creating, equipping, sustaining a network of student-run chapters in schools and communities.

“It is student leaders like Ellie and our countless other SADD members that have been the driving force behind some of our strongest prevention efforts,” Sue Anne Pilgreen, program manager for ECIPP, said. “As a leader in children’s health care for eastern North Carolina, the partnership that we have with the schools and community is crucial and these students are making a positive impact on making the world more kind.”