National Running Day Registration Discount for Red Ribbon 15K

 

National Running Day Registration Discount for Red Ribbon 15K 

Our community’s Red Ribbon tradition in support of substance abuse and bullying prevention continues on Saturday, November 9, 2019 with InnerAct Alliance’s Red Ribbon Run events presented by Title Sponsor Publix Super Markets, Inc. and Kids Run Sponsor MIDFLORIDA Credit Union.

In celebration of National Running Day on Wednesday, June 5^th, InnerAct Alliance is offering $10.00 off on the registration fee for the Red Ribbon Run 15K on November 9^th. The discount code RUN2019 applies to the 15K Only and will be in effect from Wednesday, June 5^th to Sunday, June 9^th.

The Red Ribbon Run is a family-friendly event with three races to accommodate all ages: the new 15K added this year (9.3 miles), a 5K (3.1 miles), plus a Kids’ Fun Run (1K-just over a half-mile). Kids’ Run registration is FREE to students in grades K-8 who are pre-registered before November 1^st ($5 fee after 11/1/19) and includes a commemorative Run t-shirt and free refreshments. A TEAM Challenge is also offered allowing teams of up to 10 runners from businesses, organizations, and other groups to come together and compete. Online Registration is now open on the event website at: www.RedRibbonRun.com

The course for the 5K and 15K is run around the picturesque Lake Mirror, downtown, and Lake to Lake areas and races are timed with results posted at the end. The start and finish line for the Kids’ Fun Run for K-8 students is located near the Main Stage on Lake Mirror.

“The Annual Red Ribbon Run encourages healthy family living, which reduces the likelihood of substance abuse, bullying, violence, and other risky behaviors,” said InnerAct Alliance’s Executive Director, Angie Ellison. “Please join us on November 9^th by sponsoring, running, or volunteering at www.RedRibbonRun.com or on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/RedRibbonRunSeries.”

FIFTH-GRADERS WILL PARTICIPATE IN RED RIBBON RALLIES ON MAY 20 and MAY 22, 2019

FIFTH-GRADERS WILL PARTICIPATE IN
RED RIBBON RALLIES ON MAY 20 and MAY 22, 2019

Over 6,000 fifth grade students have been invited by InnerAct Alliance to attend Red Ribbon Rallies this month to encourage the choice of a positive lifestyle without the use of drugs. Events will take place on Monday, May 20, 2019 at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. at the Heartland Church, 225 Avenue B NW, in Winter Haven for students in the Winter Haven/Haines City area and on Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland for students in the greater Lakeland area.  

Prevention rallies focus on reinforcing critical substance abuse resistance skills before students enter middle school. Facts show that the majority of young people choose not to use drugs or alcohol. Instead, they find effective ways to deal with everyday pressures and challenges in their lives without resorting to substance use. The guest speaker is Patrick T. Grady, a former middle and high school educator who travels throughout North America inspiring and encouraging individuals to do their best in their endeavors. Community leaders and law enforcement members will also be on hand to encourage the choice of a positive, healthy lifestyle without the use of drugs.

Students have been challenged to participate in the Fifth Grade Rally for The Facts Contest and create original essays, poems, and posters that illustrate how they choose to live their lives drug free and convey the truth about how most young people do not use drugs or alcohol. Contest winners will be recognized during the rallies with cash prizes of $100, $50 and $25 awarded to overall first place winners in each contest category.

The mission of InnerAct Alliance is to reduce the abuse and underage use of harmful substances along with involvement in other risky behaviors through: Community Awareness and Involvement; Prevention Education; Economic Support; and Leadership Development. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency is proud to have provided substance abuse prevention to the Hardee, Highlands and Polk County communities since 1985 with services including science-based education in elementary and middle schools, teen-driven social marketing, and awareness events that touch the lives of youth, parents, families, businesses, faith-based organizations, community groups and others with an important substance abuse prevention message.

Ove

Spring 2019 DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Event Successfully Nets 1,856 lbs. of Medications

Spring DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Nets 1,856 lbs. of Medications

StandUP Polk and local law enforcement agencies were proud to participate in the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back event this past Saturday, April 27, 2019 for Polk County residents to turn in expired or unwanted human and pet medication.

An estimated 1,856 pounds of recovered pharmaceuticals were collected and safely disposed of via incineration. The 9 drop-off sites that participated in the Spring 2019 Medication Take Back included Auburndale Police Department, Bartow Police Department, Davenport Police Department, Haines City Police Department, Lake Alfred Police Department, Lake Hamilton Police Department, Lake Wales Police Department, Lakeland Police Department, and Winter Haven Police Department. 

The latest event brings the total for collections held in Polk County to 18,573 pounds of recovered pharmaceuticals dating back to 2010.

Unwanted medications may also be taken to the county’s six permanent drop sites, funded by Givewell Community Foundation in Lakeland, at the Police Department locations in: Auburndale (2 Bobby Green Plaza, weekdays 8-5); Haines City (35400 Hwy 27, weekdays 8-5); Lake Alfred (190 N. Seminole Avenue, 24hrs/7days); Lake Hamilton (100 Smith Avenue, weekdays 8-5); Lakeland (219 N. Massachusetts Avenue, 24hrs/7days); and Winter Haven (125 N. Lake Silver Drive NW, weekdays 8-5).  To avoid harming lakes and ground water, please do not dispose of medication in the toilet.  

StandUP Polk is a community coalition working together to prevent harm and promote health through education, public awareness, and advocacy including strategies to prevent youth substance abuse. For more information, please contact StandUP Polk at (863) 802-0777.            

Ribbon Cutting & Grand Opening of the “Own the Upside…Avoid the Downside” Trailer on May 15, 2019

Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening of the “Own the Upside…Avoid the Downside” Trailer

and Special Guardian Ad Litem Training on May 15, 2019

Most kids are doing the right thing, but there are signs to watch for to know that they may be headed in the wrong direction. Correcting risky behaviors early is the key to successful Prevention! Own the Upside is a campaign formed by InnerAct Alliance and StandUP Polk to help prevent harm and promote health, especially for youth. We are proud to be partnering with Polk Sheriff’s Charities, Inc. to present an exciting new resource to educate adults and parents of teens in our community.

Sheriff Grady Judd will be on hand for the Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening of the “Own the Upside…Avoid the Downside” Trailer on Wednesday, May 15, 2019, at 4:30 p.m. at the Bartow Public Library, located at 2150 S. Broadway Avenue, Bartow, FL 33830. The event is being held in conjunction with the Florida Guardian Ad Litem Training, which begins at 5:00 p.m. with subsequent trainings at 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. There will be a short presentation and tours through the trailer exhibit. Members of the public are welcome and light refreshments will be served.

The Own the Upside Trailer is a mobile, interactive exhibit that houses a replica of a teens’ bedroom that parents can walk through to learn how to recognize clues signaling potential involvement in drugs and risky behaviors visible in plain sight or easily concealed in everyday items and seemingly ordinary belongings in the room. To support efforts to encourage healthy behaviors and reduce substance abuse, we invite community groups, PTA organizations, Booster Clubs, and other adult groups in Hardee, Highlands, and Polk County to arrange for an Own the Upside representative to visit with the “Own the Upside…Avoid the Downside” trailer and share an informative education presentation. Due to the nature of material being discussed, this presentation is for parents and adults only. Visit https://www.owntheupsidepolk.com/about-us to schedule a presentation today.

NATIONAL PRESCRIPTION DRUG TAKE-BACK DAY Saturday, April 27, 2019

NATIONAL PRESCRIPTION DRUG TAKE-BACK DAY
Saturday, April 27, 2019

StandUP Polk and local law enforcement agencies are proud to join The Drug Enforcement Administration and its national and community partners for National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, April 27, 2019, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, for citizens to dispose of all unwanted, unneeded, and expired medications in a safe manner. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day provides a convenient and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medication. Studies show that medicines in home cabinets are highly susceptible to misuse and abuse.

Our community’s Prescription Drug Take-Back Day will include the following 9 locations in Polk County for citizens to turn in unused, expired, or unwanted Human and Pet Medications, as well as over the counter medications, vitamins, and other medication in liquid and solid form, for proper disposal. Medications should be placed in a clear, air-tight plastic bag.  

Drop-off locations from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm are:

Auburndale Police Department – 2 Bobby Green Plaza, Auburndale, FL
Bartow Police Department – 450 North Broadway Avenue, Bartow, FL
Haines City Police Department – 35400 Highway 27, Haines City, FL
Lakeland Police Department – 219 N. Massachusetts Avenue, Lakeland, FL
Lake Alfred Police Department – 190 N. Seminole Avenue, Lake Alfred, FL
Lake Hamilton Police Department – 100 Smith Avenue, Lake Hamilton, FL
Lake Wales Police Department - 133 E. Tillman Avenue, Lake Wales, FL
Winter Haven Police Department – 125 N. Lake Silver Drive NW, Winter Haven, FL
Sam’s Club North #6441 – 4600 U.S. Highway 98N, Lakeland, FL

Unwanted medications may also be taken to the county’s permanent drop sites, funded by Givewell Community Foundation, at the Police Department locations in: Auburndale (weekdays 8-5); Haines City (weekdays 8-5); Lake Alfred (24hrs/7days); Lake Hamilton (weekdays 8-5); Lakeland (24hrs/7days); and Winter Haven (weekdays 8-5).  To avoid harming lakes and ground water, please do not dispose of medication in the toilet.  

Previous medication collections held in Polk County since 2010 have resulted in 16,717 pounds of recovered pharmaceuticals safely disposed of via incineration.

StandUP Polk is a community coalition working together to prevent harm and promote health through education, public awareness, and advocacy including strategies to prevent youth substance abuse. 

For more information on the local Prescription Drug Take-Back event, please contact StandUP Polk at (863) 802-0777.

Invite the “Own the Upside…Avoid the Downside” Trailer to Visit Your Organization!

Invite the “Own the Upside…Avoid the Downside” Trailer to Visit Your Organization!

We are proud to offer an exciting new resource to educate parents of teens in our community, offered in partnership with the Polk County Sheriff’s Foundation. The “Own the Upside…Avoid the Downside” trailer is a mobile, interactive exhibit housing a replica of a teens’ bedroom that parents can walk through to learn how to recognize clues signaling potential involvement in drugs and risky behaviors visible in plain sight or easily concealed in everyday items and seemingly ordinary belongings in the room.

Civic groups and organizations can support efforts to encourage healthy behaviors and reduce substance abuse by inviting an Own The Upside representative to visit with the “Own the Upside…Avoid the Downside” trailer and share an informative presentation. Call (863) 802-0777 or visit the OTUS web site at https://www.owntheupsidepolk.com/ to arrange a presentation or for additional information.

UthMpact Class VIII Leadership Days 2019

UthMpact 

LEADERSHIP DAYS

UthMpact participants in Leadership Class VIII have been busy taking part in hands-on learning activities. The Leadership Program, spearheaded by InnerAct Alliance, StandUP Polk Coalition, UthMpact Coalition, and key business and community partners, is designed to help teens develop crucial leadership skills and entails a two-day summer retreat; six Leadership Days spent traveling throughout the community to meet with local leaders and enjoy behind-the-scenes tours; partnership on Social Norms and Social Marketing Campaigns to deliver key substance abuse prevention messages to teens by their peers; as well as participation in dozens of awareness and volunteer opportunities during the year. Learn more about this inspiring group of teens at www.uthmpact.org