WWE Promotes Bully Prevention In Stamford and Abroad

World Wrestling Entertainment and The Creative Coalition are two of many companies within the Be a STAR (Show Tolerance and Respect) Alliance, founded in Apr. 2011, which will work against school bullying during October's National Bullying Prevention Month.

"WWE co-founded the Be a STAR program with the Creative Coalition," WWE Creative Executive VP Stephanie McMahon said. Besides Be a STAR, WWE's best known philanthropic effort may be its support of American troops, often doing shows overseas and providing free tickets in the U.S. for those currently serving.

The Creative Coalition is run by Robin Bronk and Tim Daly, formerly of "The Sopranos" and "Wings".

"We became more aware of the bullying problem in America and especially the world when we produced a film called 'That's What I Am', which had a message of tolerance and of anti-bullying," McMahon said. "We wanted to do something to make a difference."

Stephanie McMahon, daughter of Senate candidate and WWE founder Vincent McMahon, stated that the focal point of the Be a STAR program is to get bullied children to speak up and seek help. The Be a STAR website serves as the primary destination for those who want to be active in the program, and offers kids, parents, and educators the option to make a pledge to "stand up" against bullying, start their own Be a STAR chapter, or order a free cirriculum which educates on bully prevention.

While the program is considered to be a global initiative, WWE personalities have been active with Be a STAR across WWE's home state of Connecticut. "In August, Sheamus, one of our biggest superstars, visited Hall Neighborhood House in Bridgeport," McMahon said. "Last Wednesday, Eve, a WWE Diva, visited Ansonia High School."

"That's What I Am" was shown to the Hall Neighborhood youth during Sheamus's visit, in which he and Mayor Bill Finch addressed kids on bullying prevention after the viewing. "It was incredibly moving," McMahon said.

More than the "star" power driving the program and a national crackdown on school bullying, WWE's unique youth reach may be it's primary tool in making the program a success.

"WWE programming reaches more than 14.5 million people in the U.S. each week and 3 million of that are kids under the age of 18," McMahon said.