Red Ribbon Week Event Planning Idea Blog: Give Them A Hand

Hands, instead of voices, made Hubbard Elementary School’s message loud and clear. “Hand In Hand Let’s Take A Stand” was the sentiment for the start of Red Ribbon Week. The students at this East Berlin, Connecticut, school signed red hand cutouts. Each one pledged “to be a responsible person and make good choices today and every day.” The school took a group photo with everyone holding up a hand. Add to this idea by holding an art contest in which students incorporate handprints into their designs. Give all participants “Real Heroes Are Drug Free” Buttons, and award “Real Heroes Are Drug Free” Dog Tags to the winners.

2010 Red Ribbon Contest Winners

2010 Red Ribbon Week Contest Winners Our gratitude goes out to all who entered the 2010 Red Ribbon Week Contest. We congratulate the winners:

Elementary Schools

Grand Prize
San Jacinto Elementary School
Deer Park, TX

Second Prize
Westwood Elementary School
Friendswood, TX

Third Prize
Rufus E. Payne Elementary School
Jacksonville, FL

Honorable Mention
Central Elementary School
Beech Grove, IN

Middle/High Schools

Grand Prize
Piedmont Middle School
Piedmont, AL

Second Prize
Eli Terry Jr. Middle School
Terryville, CT

Third Prize
J.J. Wessendorff Middle School
Rosenberg, TX

Honorable Mention
Satsuma High School
Satsuma, AL

Look for your 2011 Red Ribbon Week Contest entry form in your Red Ribbon Week order. Your school/organization could become a prize winner, based on the originality of your activities, the extent of community involvement, and your creative use of products. The deadline for entry is December 1, 2011.

About Red Ribbon Week

This year marks the 21th anniversary of the first official celebration of Red Ribbon Week. The event has grown into the country’s largest anti-drug endeavor. Encouraging youngsters to turn away from drugs is still the main emphasis, but giving them the tools to make other healthy choices is now a component.

Red Ribbon Week came into existence as the result of the tragic death of Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena in 1985. Friends and family in his hometown of Calexico, California, started a movement to honor him. Camarena Clubs were formed in which members pledged to live drug free. A red ribbon became the symbol of this fight against drug abuse. Parent associations in other areas joined the fight and adopted the red ribbon. In 1988, the U.S. Congress proclaimed Red Ribbon Week.

Positive Promotions holds a contest to find outstanding celebrations. In 2008, entries came in from 46 states, giving the judges a lot to think about. Here we summarize the winners’ programs. We also present ideas from the other entries to help you have your best Red Ribbon Week ever!

About This Blog

During October, school and community leaders unite with the common goal of raising a generation of drug-free children who make healthy choices. The good news is that, thanks to creative approaches to anti-drug education, Red Ribbon Week has captured the attention of millions of young people throughout our country.

Positive Promotions works hard to produce an outstanding line of drug-prevention items. We also collect interesting celebration ideas from throughout the United States and present them here. Our goal is to make it easier for you to have your best Red Ribbon Week ever!

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Give Them A Hand