Lockport Union-Sun & Journal — Bon-Ton Stores wants to stomp out bullying.

The department store chain has announced its support of national anti-bullying awareness month in October by partnering with the national anti-bullying program, Stomp Out Bullying. As part of the partnership, Bon-Ton will exclusively carry the 2012 limited edition Stomp Out Bullying blue T-shirts. The shirts raise awareness and funds for Blue Shirt Day — World Day of Bullying Prevention, on Oct. 1 both in stores and on bonton.com.

Bon-Ton and Stomp Out Bullying hope children, teachers, parents and neighbors alike will wear their blue shirts making Oct. 1 the day that bullying prevention is heard around the world.

“All of us at the Bon-Ton stores want to make a difference in our children’s lives during this back-to-school season and what better way than to support ‘Stomp Out Bullying,’ a national organization focused on eradicating bullying in our schools and communities,” said Brendan Hoffman, Bon-Ton president and CEO. “Our hope is that parents, teachers and children will participate in the annual Blue Shirt Day - World Day of Bullying Prevention and stand up to bullies everywhere.”

The program started in August through an interactive Facebook campaign and contest. This year, Wallflower Vintage, Bon-Ton junior’s brand, designed the 2012 limited edition blue shirt. The T-shirt will be available until Oct. 1 in stores and on bonton.com for $12. With each purchase, $8 will be donated directly to Stomp Out Bullying. The T-shirts have been created and printed in partnership with Sledge USA.

“Our gratitude goes out to the Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. and Sledge USA for their support of our work and the issue,” said Ross Ellis, founder and CEO of STOMP Out Bullying.

Until Tuesday, shoppers can text “friends” to 266866 to receive $20 off a $50 purchase. Bon-Ton will donate $1 to the cause for each text.

Bon-Ton has also initiated an interactive social media campaign, which gives its customers the opportunity to share their anti-bullying message with their friends via Facebook. To launch the program, Bon-Ton will host a back-to-school sweepstakes on their Facebook page until Friday. Bon-Ton will select seven winners, each of whom will receive a $250 shopping spree to the store as well as a $1,000 donation to their school of choice to support an anti-bullying awareness program.

Upon entering the back-to-school sweepstakes, fans will have the opportunity to generate their own personalized Facebook cover photo supporting anti-bullying. The application will allow users to choose from a variety of unique templates, quotes and fun shapes in a variety of sizes and colors. Bon-Ton has pledged to donate $1 for every banner that is created, up to $10,000. Facebook and Twitter users are encouraged to tweet their anti-bullying banner by using the hash tag #STOMPOutBullyng.