A rally for youth - called "U.R. Wanted" and designed to share an anti-bullying message - is scheduled from 6-9 p.m. Saturday at Jefferson City's Thomas Jefferson Middle School.
The event is sponsored by the Council for Drug-Free Youth (CDFY), with the help of several other community volunteers.
It will be tied to a CDFY speaking engagement earlier in the week.
On Thursday Tina Meier - the mother of a 13-year-old Missouri girl who committed suicide after being bullied online - will speak to students at Simonsen 9th Grade Center and Helias High School.
Saturday's rally will feature music by two live bands, giveaways, games, free food and drinks. Also, the Missouri National Guard is donating the use of its inflatable obstacle course. And, Maya Moore, a professional women's basketball player and Jefferson City native, will share a videotaped message of inspiration and support.
The event targets middle school students, but older teens are welcome, too, said Kirk DeMars, one of the event's organizers and a youth leader at First Assembly of God Church.
"It's an outreach. We're trying to get as many to come as possible," DeMars said. "We called it "U.R. Wanted' because we wanted them to understand they are valuable. They are masterpieces."
At 7:40 p.m. DeMars plans to address the crowd with an anti-bullying message. DeMars said the plan is to have certified counselors available to students, if needed.
"We want to open that door to reach out to them and refer them to whom they need to be referred to," DeMars said, adding the plan isn't to be too heavy-handed with counseling, but have it available. "We're going to be prepared."
The main message, DeMars stressed, is to help young people know they are worthwhile, valuable individuals.
"We want to get them in there and let them know they are loved on," he said.