Thank You to our 2019 Red Ribbon Sponsors, Runners & Volunteers!

2019 Red Ribbon 15K, 5K & Kids Fun Run Results

2019 Red Ribbon 15K, 5K & Kids Fun Run Results

Kudos to the nearly 7,500 participants, sponsors, spectators, vendors, law enforcement, staff, and volunteers who took part in the 2019 Red Ribbon 15K, 5K, and Kids Fun Run, presented by InnerAct Alliance, Title Sponsor Publix Super Markets, Inc., and event partners MIDFLORIDA Credit Union, Florida Dairy Farmers, Rainier Fruit Company, and many other business sponsors, on Saturday, November 9, 2019.

This event culminated one of the largest Red Ribbon Campaigns in the state to support the prevention of substance abuse and bullying in our community.

Approximately 1,400 Runners ages Kindergarten through 75 years young laced up their running shoes and ran the beautiful Red Ribbon 15K, 5K, or Kids Run courses around the Lake Mirror and Lakeland areas.  

Red Ribbon Kids Fun Run Results

Kindergarten Girls      

1^st - Audrina McGuire from McKeel Central

2^nd – Baylee Andrews from Magnolia Montessori

3^rd – Kaiden Benton from Highlands Grove

Kindergarten Boys

1^st – Luke Oglialoro from St. Paul Lutheran

2^nd – Ronald Angel Perpilus from Spessard Holland

3^rd – Jefferson Blizzard (school unknown)

First Grade Girls

1^st – Chloe Fong from Lincoln Academy

2^nd – Sadie Henderson from Lakeland Christian

3^rd – Carson Vinzant from Magnolia Montessori

First Grade Boys

1^st – Kamari Mair-Kerr from Philip O’Brien

2^nd – Kacen Bailey from Valleyview

3^rd – Bryce Corn from Lincoln Academy

Second Grade Girls 

1^st – Victoria Bradley from Spessard Holland

2^nd - Alison Knowles from Philip O’Brien

3^rd – Audrey Salvia from Highlands Grove

Second Grade Boys

1^st – Jackson Helm from Cleveland Court

2^nd – Jovani Castillo from Churchwell

3^rd – Carter Shapiro from St. Paul Lutheran

Third Grade Girls

1^st - Aubrey Pickering from Highlands Grove

2^nd – Madison Johnson of Lakeland

3^rd – Lillian Bradshaw from Lincoln Academy

Third Grade Boys

1^st - Kayanni Young from Highlands Grove

2^nd – Cristiano Pagano from St. Paul Lutheran

3^rd – Tyler Ruland from Highlands Grove

Fourth Grade Girls

1^st – Kayden Dennis from Floral Avenue

2^nd – Abdreana Rosario from Philip O’Brien

3^rd – Samantha Buffington from Valleyview

Fourth Grade Boys

1^st – Ayden Flores from R. Bruce Wagner

2^nd – Jaace Moore from Carlton Palmore

3^rd – Landon Farmer from Highlands Grove

Fifth Grade Girls

1^st – Isabella Burke from St. Paul Lutheran

2^nd – Haley Cookson from Highlands Grove

3^rd – Sara Corrigan from Magnolia Montessori

Fifth Grade Boys

1^st – Rowlyn Boase from Philip O’Brien

2^nd – Julio O. Garcia from Academy Prep Lakeland

 3^rd – Lenox Viserto from Polk City Elementary

Middle School Girls

1^st – Taylor Pickering from Lakeland Highlands

2^nd – Sofia Burke from St. Paul Lutheran

3^rd – Ava Holmes from Lawton Chiles

Middle School Boys

1^st – Caden Baker South McKeel Academy

2^nd – Aiden Tucker from St. Paul Lutheran

3^rd – Edwin Alomia from McKeel Academy

TOP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WITH HIGHEST PARTICIPATION - Philip O’Brien Elementary

TOP MIDDLE SCHOOL WITH HIGHEST PARTICIPATION – South McKeel Academy

Red Ribbon Adult Run Results

Top 5 Overall in 15K

MEN                                                                                                     

Overall                                                                                                                                

Justin Hoagland of Winter Haven              Time: 57:21        

Male Masters

Mark Tulowiecki of Lakeland                       Time: 59:12

Male Grand Masters
Mark Hulbert of Lakeland                             Time: 1:04:11

WOMEN

Overall

Mary Ann Protz of St. Petersburg              Time: 1:06:48

Female Masters

Kate Ryals of Lakeland                                    Time: 1:16:24

Female Grand Masters

Petra Beemer of Lakeland, FL                      Time: 1:26:25

Top 5 Overall in 5K

MEN

Overall

Elijah Oquendo of Lakeland                         Time: 20:29

Male Masters

Chris Baker of Lakeland                                 Time: 22:29

Male Grand Masters     
Paul White of Lakeland                                  Time: 25:01

WOMEN

Overall

Jaade McBride of Lakeland                           Time: 23:42

Female Masters

Yuko Ferguson                                                  Time: 28:07

Female Grand Masters

Veronica Hooppaw                                          Time: 25:01

Fall DEA Prescription Drug Take Back Nets Over 2,083 lbs. of Medication

Saturday, October 26th is National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day

This Saturday, October 26^th is National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day
DEA Will Accept Vaping Devices & Cartridges

October is National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month to raise awareness of the dangers of prescription drug abuse and over-the-counter cough medicine abuse. StandUP Polk and local law enforcement agencies are proud to participate in this initiative, sponsored by Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA), and join The Drug Enforcement Administration for National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day this Saturday, October 26, 2019, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day provides a convenient and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs and other expired or unused Human and Pet medications in liquid and solid form, while also educating the public about the potential for abuse of medication. Medications should be placed in a clear, air-tight plastic bag.

The DEA has announced that it will now accept vaping pens and other e-cigarette devices (with batteries removed) at all drop off locations. This announcement is significant as news reports continue to draw attention to the association between serious lung injury and use of e-cigarette and vaping products. Nationwide, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that as of October 15, 2019, 1,479 cases of vaping-related lung injury have been reported in 49 states. The CDC also reported 33 deaths confirmed in 24 states.

Drug Take-Back Day will take place from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the following drop-off locations in Polk County:

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

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 any kind of medication in the toilet.  

Previous medication collections held in Polk County since 2010 have resulted in 18,573 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, please contact StandUP Polk at (863) 802-0777.

City of Lakeland Proclaims October 2019 as National Red Ribbon Month

City of Lakeland Mayor Bill Mutz Proclaims October 2019 as
National Red Ribbon Month

Each month, Mayor Bill Mutz and the Lakeland City Commission present a variety of proclamations to help spread awareness for local, state and national causes.

InnerAct Alliance is proud to be a recipient of the City of Lakeland Proclamation of National Red Ribbon Month for October 2019. In the photo above, Angie Ellison, Executive Director of InnerAct Alliance, (pictured third from left) receives the Proclamation from Mayor Mutz (pictured center) presented to the agency at the October 7, 2019 Commission Meeting. 

Substance abuse is the most common risk factor impacting youth and society. The prevention education programs offered by InnerAct Alliance have proven to be effective tools in reducing risk factors and strengthening protective factors. The agency has provided prevention education to youth and adults in the Polk, Hardee and Highlands County communities since 1985 and also serves as the fiscal agent for the StandUP Polk (adult-based) and UthMpact (youth-based) Coalitions for a Drug-Free Polk. 

The 34th Annual Red Ribbon Campaign is highlighted by the Red Ribbon 15K, 5K, and popular Kids Fun Run, presented by InnerAct Alliance and title sponsor Publix Super Markets, Inc., on Saturday, November 9, 2019, creating a community event where adults compete in the 15K or 5K and elementary and middle school students participate in the Kids Fun Run around Lake Mirror and Lakeland’s downtown to support prevention education, anti-bullying, and discourage risky behaviors.

InnerAct Alliance to Receive Five Star Performance Recognition by the Central FL Behavioral Health Network

InnerAct Alliance to Receive Five Star Performance
Recognition by the Central Florida Behavioral Health Network, Inc.

InnerAct Alliance is proud to be recognized for outstanding Five Star Performance by the Central Florida Behavioral Health Network, Inc., along with our prevention partners at the Polk County Drug Court and Tri-County Human Services, Inc.

InnerAct Alliance will be honored as a 2019 Gold Star Category 2 recipient at a special 5 Star Awards Luncheon to be held on November 6^th at The Meadows Country Club in Sarasota, Florida. Polk County Drug Court will receive recognition in Gold Star Category 3; while Tri-County Human Services will take home an award in Gold Star Category 5.

The criteria that organizations must meet to be considered for the 5 Star award circle involves achievement of 95% or above, and categories are designated by the total number of outcome measures that each must satisfy as part of their contract, according to Linda McKinnon, CFBHN President & CEO of CFBHN.  

“Our sincere thanks and appreciation to the Central Florida Behavioral Health Network for this honor and congratulations to the other deserving organizations chosen for Five Star Performance Recognition along with us,” said Angie Ellison, Executive Director of InnerAct Alliance.

For more information, please contact InnerAct Alliance at (863) 802-0777.

Register Now for the Red Ribbon 15K, 5K and Kids Fun Run
Saturday, November 9, 2019

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.

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. 

Online Registration takes place on the event website at: www.RedRibbonRun.com