Out & About TV, in conjunction with Uncle Josh and with the support of Bish’s RV, is launching a special edition “Your Candle Won’t Burn Brighter” T-shirt, with 100% of the profits donated to the PACER National Bullying Prevention Center, which works to prevent childhood bullying through education promoting kindness, acceptance and inclusion for today’s youth.
What began as a simple comment during a YouTube show is quickly becoming a campaign to help kids facing bullying. During a recent show, “Uncle Josh” Winters, creator of the popular YouTube channel for national dealer chain Bish’s RV, shared a simple piece of wisdom: “Your candle won’t burn brighter by blowing someone else’s out.”
The words immediately struck a chord with Out & About TV hosts Tom and Sharon McAuliffe. They decided the message belonged on a T-shirt — but more importantly, they believed it could be used to do some good.
“I think people are generally good but the world can sometimes be an ugly place. It has a way of leaving a tarnish on us. And the saying ‘hurt people, hurt people’ certainly can be true. And I think if we look in the mirror we’ve all been on one side or the other of that fence. Sometimes we’ve been on both,” said Uncle Josh.
“When Tom reached out, I knew instantly I wanted to be involved somehow. Through our efforts, I truly hope we’re able to make a positive impact in the lives of those who may have been victims. But I also want to encourage people to remember those who are inflicting that pain are likely reflecting that which they themselves are also enduring. So before we condemn the offender, let’s reach out a hand and remember they are likely also the afflicted,” he said. “It’s important that kids always remember we cannot always control what happens to us, but it will always be our choice what we do for others.”
The campaign is also receiving support from Bish’s RV, helping turn what began as just an idea among friends in the RV community into a broader effort to help kids stand up against bullying.
“Anybody who has ever been bullied understands just how powerful those words are,” said Tom McAuliffe. “Building yourself up doesn’t require tearing somebody else down. Josh managed to say that beautifully in one sentence, and we thought it was a valuable message worth sharing — especially with kids. Besides the RV community has a strong tradition of giving back!”
The campaign comes as America recognizes October as National Bullying Prevention Month, making the timing of Josh’s message particularly meaningful.
The limited-edition shirts are available through the Out & About TV Swag Shop at https://outandabouttvswag-shop.fourthwall.com/products/your-candle-wont-burn-brighter-anti-bullying-campaign-t-shirt.
100% of profits from the shirts will be going to PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center.
For Tom and Sharon, the project represents something they believe the RV community does particularly well: coming together when there’s an opportunity to help.
“This really ain’t about sellin T-shirts,” McAuliffe said. “It’s about putting a positive message out there and helping a wonderful program for kids. And if somebody sees that shirt in a campground, a school, a grocery store or walking down the trail, it may make them think twice about how they treat somebody else and then perhaps we’ve accomplished something.”
Additional information about the campaign, shirt availability and ways to support the effort will be announced through Out & About TV.
