On Saturday, September 28, the respected nonprofit organization Boo2Bullying hosted its Second Annual Kick Bullying To The Curb Wellness Festival at Palm Springs Power Stadium. The organization, dedicated to providing support, mentoring, and hope to bullied youth and their families, organized a day filled with community engagement and entertainment.
Matt Dallas with his husband Blue Hamilton, and their children, Rosa Ray and Crow, hold up Dallas’ Gurus Magazine Cover at Boo2Bullying’s 2nd Annual Celebrity Kickball Game Photo Credit: Tadd Dorazio
The festival kicked off with various Community Partner organizations setting up informational booths alongside family-oriented activities, including a DJ and face-painting for children. Attendees enjoyed attractions such as a “Petting Zoo and Cool Critters” exhibit presented by the Mobile Zoo of Southern California, while the Blue Truck Mobile Snack Bar and Atomic Game Truck provided complimentary refreshments including hot dogs, nachos, and icy lemonade.
Miia Harris checks out her new jersey from Kid Dangerous while rocking her game day Freshy sneakers at Boo2Bullying’s 2nd Annual Celebrity Kickball Game in Palm Springs
Significantly, the event was made possible through the support of numerous sponsors, with the City of Palm Springs as the primary sponsor, James MacMillan and BIGHORN Cares Foundation as presenting sponsors, and Gurus Magazine providing media sponsorship. Additional support came from various local businesses and organizations, including Contour Dermatology, Grace Helen Spearman Charitable Foundation, and the Desert Healthcare District & Foundation, among many others.
The PSHS Indians Cheer Squad welcome the crowd to Boo2Bullying’s 2nd Annual Celebrity Kickball Game in Palm Springs Photo Credit: Tadd Dorazio
Brian Justin Crum sings the National Anthem at Boo2Bullying’s 2nd Annual Celebrity Kickball Game in Palm Springs Photo Credit: Tadd Dorazio
At noon, the focus shifted to the stadium field for the main event – the “2nd Annual Kick Bullying to the Curb” kickball game. The Palm Springs High School Indians Cheer Squad welcomed spectators, and America’s Got Talent favorite Brian Justin Crum performed the national anthem. The game featured Team Hollywood, led by publisher Derek Warburton, against Team Palm Springs, captained by Palm Springs Unified School District Superintendent Tony Signoret.
Team Hollywood gets excited in the dug out at Boo2Bullying’s 2nd Annual Celebrity Kickball Game in Palm Springs Photo Credit: Tadd Dorazio
It was Team Hollywood versus Team Palm Springs kicking bullying to the curb with commentary from former Miss West Coast, Tala Zoukari, with producer and actor, Kent Burns.
Team Hollywood was comprised of Matt Dallas (Kyle XY), Jy Prishkulnik (Monster High), Anthony Bless (Ruthless), Miia Harris(Monster High), Lauryn Speights (The Good Place), Shaka Smith(Actor), Charlie Chung (Martial Artist), Anthony Keegan-Brown, and Mike Keegan-Brown.
Matt Dallas winds up to kick at Boo2Bullying’s 2nd Annual Celebrity Kickball Game in Palm Springs Photo Credit: Tadd Dorazio
Jy Prishkulnik kicks the ball at Boo2Bullying’s 2nd Annual Celebrity Kickball Game in Palm Springs Photo Credit: Tadd Dorazio
Team Palm Springs was comprised of local community leaders including: Ellen Goodman (Foundation Director-FOUNDATION OF PALM SPRINGS UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT), Mike Ventura (Principal of Palm Springs High School) Marian Bouchot (Digital Media Specialist at Palm Springs Unified School District), David Rios (Interior Designer), Art Sanchez (Vice Principal of Palm Springs High School), and Carmen Vargas (Palm Springs High School Softball League Coach).
Captain Team Hollywood, Derek Warburton runs for First Base at Boo2Bullying’s 2nd Annual Celebrity Kickball Game in Palm Springs Photo Credit: Tadd Dorazio
Anthony Bless pitches Team Hollywood at Boo2Bullying’s 2nd Annual Celebrity Kickball Game in Palm Springs Photo Credit: Tadd Dorazio
Despite Team Hollywood’s star power, Team Palm Springs clinched victory with a score of 6-2, leveraging their home field advantage. The celebration continued with an after-party hosted by PS Homeboys & Freshy sneakers, commemorating Boo2Bullying’s ongoing impactful work.
Shaka Smith celebrates at the official Freshy After Party hosted by PS Homeboys following Boo2Bullying’s 2nd Annual Celebrity Kickball Game in Palm Springs Photo Credit: Tadd Dorazio
Overall, the event successfully combined entertainment, community engagement, and awareness-raising, resulting in a memorable weekend that brought together Palm Springs residents and Hollywood personalities for an important cause.
Derek Warburton, Anthony Keegand-Brown, Scott Willman, & Rachel Wilson celebrate at the official Freshy After Party hosted by PS Homeboys following Boo2Bullying’s 2nd Annual Celebrity Kickball Game in Palm Springs Photo Credit: Tadd Dorazio
Chiefly, the mission of Boo2Bullying is to provide outreach, mentoring, inspiration and hope to bullied youth and their families. The nonprofit organization founded in 2013 provides free programs in schools and community organization settings and online over social media platforms. Mental health is enhanced when children and teens feel empowered, build their self-esteem, realize they are not alone, and discover that they have a voice and are capable of standing against bullying to create positive change.
For information about scheduling a Boo2Bullying program in your school or community organization, contact Dimitri Halkidis at dimitrihalkidis@boo2bullying.org.
