Red Ribbon Week 2014 Underway

Red Ribbon Week will be observed today through October 31 in Effingham County.

The national Red Ribbon campaign began in 1985 when Special Agent Kiki Camarena of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration gave his life while working undercover in Mexico. The Effingham County Drug Alert Council has sponsored this week locally for the past 25 years.

The slogan for 2014 is "Love Yourself: Be Drug Free". Proclamations were signed by Effingham County Board Chairman Jim Niemann and Effingham Mayor Merv Gillenwater.

Information was sent to county businesses, schools, churches and organizations with suggested activities. The Effingham County Snowball teens have decorated Effingham City Hall and the old Courthouse with red bows.

The goals of Red Ribbon Week are to recognize and show that the only way a drug prevention program is truly effective is with the support of various sectors of the community, to build public awareness that many youth do not use drugs, encourage youth to show their efforts to be drug-free, and pave a path that will influence youth to be drug-free. Citizens can show support by wearing a red ribbon through the week. Plain ribbons have been donated by various businesses for the schools and others who wish to support the campaign. There are also printed ribbons for a small donation.

The Red Ribbon Week schedule is: Today--Decoration Day; Friday and Saturday--Sports Days; Sunday--Prayer Day; Monday-Information Day; Tuesday--Wear Red Day; Wednesday--Pledge Day; Thursday, October 30--Red Lunch Day; and Friday, October 31--Recognition Day.

The Council is again sponsoring a poster contest for county students in Grades 1-12. Awards will be made to winners on Thursday, October 30 at the Effingham County Building at 3:30pm. Parents and teachers are invited. Each group will be photographed. There are 10 categories and prizes for first, second and third in each category. All entrants will receive a treat coin from Culver's that will be delivered to the schools after Red Ribbon Week is over. All posters will be on display at Village Square Mall through November. Winners only will be on display at Culver's through December.

Ribbons are available to the public by contacting President Rob Grupe--217-821-9583; Katie Kroeger--217-342-2079; or June Cheatum at 217-342-4325.