The POP Foundation recently hosted its “Wear Orange March” for Gun Violence Awareness Day at Hidden Lake Park in Merrillville, gathering community members to address the alarming reality that gun violence is the leading cause of death for children under age 19. Founder Mike McGee emphasized the need for local students to take an active role in preventing violence, as participants donned orange to symbolize their commitment to gun violence prevention and community safety.
Local officials, including Merrillville Superintendent Dexter Suggs and Police Chief Kosta Nuses, spoke on the importance of collective action in reducing violence, particularly among youth. With alarming increases in school shootings and related mental health issues, the POP Foundation’s SAVE program actively encourages students to advocate for nonviolence. McGee’s vision for empowering youth, paired with community support, aims to build safer environments for future generations.
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