Third Annual Walk for Respect coming to Swampscott Sunday

SWAMPSCOTT-The third annual Walk for Respect, which is set for Sunday, is more relevant than ever in light of recent bullying incidents throughout the Commonwealth, according to organizers.The Swampscott Task Force for Respect of Human Differences annual Community Walk for Respect will take place rain or shine. Participants should arrive at Clarke Elementary School, 100 Middlesex Ave, by 1:30 p.m. at the latest to board the free shuttle to the Nahant Rotary where the walk will commence at 2 p.m.Co-organizer Paula Bonazzoli said approximately 100 people participated in the walk last year and organizers are hoping for an even larger turnout this year.?It’s always important to keep the discussion of respect and tolerance in the forefront,” she said. “The focus of the walk this year is on bullying. It is important in light of two teens from Massachusetts, the who took their lives because of bullying. “Bonazzoli said Rep. Lori Ehrlich (D-Marblehead), who was instrumental in getting an anti-bullying law passed, would be speaking at the Nahant Rotary before the walk starts.?The new law and the Walk for Respect are hallmarks of how respect has to be an active process,” Ehrlich said. “By promoting respect in a decidedly positive way, the walk sends a signal of zero tolerance and encourages conversation throughout the community about how we treat each other. The Walk for respect is a wonderful example of how parents and communities are partnering in an active way. We can celebrate our differences as we get a little exercise ? a win-win for everyone.”The 2.2-mile walk will begin at the Nahant Rotary and continue to Clarke Elementary School, where the school will hold a country fair after the walk.This year, the walk will include walkers from Swampscott and Nahant as well as from Salem and Marblehead. Organizers say artwork depicting tolerance would be displayed along the route and eye-opening statistics with regard to bias will be available as well.Water will be provided for walkers and the first 200 registrants will receive a respect T-shirt. The entry fee is $8 per person with a maximum rate of $24 per family. Children three and under can walk for free. All proceeds will support anti-bias programming in the community but organizers stressed no one would be turned away due to inability to pay.