Celebrate All the Love in Our Lives!

 

Wishing Everyone an early Happy Valentine's Day & Weekend Ahead! This is a perfect time to remind ourselves about the importance of all kinds of love in our life. 💖

Valentine's Day can bring out a host of different emotions, but it's not just about romantic love, flowers, and chocolate. We should embrace all of the love in our lives - that for our pets, our families, our friends, and most of all, for ourselves!

This Valentine's weekend, let's all remember to show Ourselves some love by continuing to look for the light in life, staying open to new ideas, standing up for what you believe in, and letting your true self shine...thanks to our friends at @PositivelyPresent for this colorful and timely reminder!

Self-love allows you to accept yourself fully, treat yourself with kindness and respect, and nurture growth and well-being. Not only does self-love improve your relationship with yourself, but also with others. It motivates much of our positive behavior while reducing harmful behavior. Self-love is the gift that keeps on giving long after February is over! 🌷

40 Years – 40 Stories | Story #5: Teaching Empathy, Kindness & Positive Choices

 

Story #5: Teaching Empathy, Kindness & Positive Choices

For four decades, InnerAct Alliance has served Polk, Highlands, and Hardee counties with effective evidence-based programs to educate about substance abuse prevention and support youth to succeed in all aspects of their lives.

The Humane Education Program

One of our newest prevention efforts is the Humane Education Program, an evidence-based program that promotes empathy, kindness, and critical thinking in young children. Our humane educator uses age-appropriate literature, critical thinking techniques, and engaging activities to teach PreK through 3rd graders healthy ways to interact with their peers. Plus, there's a fun option to include live animals (or stuffed animals) in presentations!

Pictured above: Local high school students learn current social norms facts (left); Our humane educator partnering with the Polk County Sheriff's Office, students, and an adorable puppy learning about kindness and compassion (right).

Social Norms: Changing Perspectives with Positive Messages

We're also reaching high school students during lunch breaks with Social Norms messaging that proactively changes perspectives about substance use. The positive message? Most of their peers are NOT involved in substance use and risky behaviors! This FREE program provides all materials needed.

We believe every child deserves a safe, healthy, and drug-free future!

Support Our Prevention Programs:

$40 = student participation incentives

$400 = books & materials for Humane Education

$4,000 = additional support staff for Social Norms outreach

Donate by

texting IAA to 26989

https://www.inneractalliance.org/#donate

#40Years40Stories #InnerActAlliance #HumaneEducation #SocialNorms #EmpathyEducation #PreventionWorks #PolkCounty #PositiveChoices #DrugFreeFuture

Prevention Begins at Home: Stay Vigilant During Cold/Flu Season

 

Prevention begins at home - more specifically in the home medicine cabinet! Now that it's cold and flu season, parents must stay particularly vigilant about what is accessible in your home. Youth have been known to misuse cough and cold medications. Keep all medication out of the reach of children and teens - both prescription and over-the-counter.💊

This is a good reminder to talk to your children at early ages about substance use and misuse. Tell them that even OTC medications used to treat the common cold and flu can be risky if they are not taken as directed or prescribed. 

It's also a good time to clean out all used, expired, or unneeded prescription and non-prescription medication and bring it to the Spring DEA Medication Take Back Day on Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 10am to 2pm, at participating police department locations throughout Polk County (locations pending) for proper disposal. Stay tuned for more information coming soon!

40 Years – 40 Stories of InnerAct Alliance – Story #4

 

Story #4: The Red Ribbon Run Legacy

October is National Red Ribbon Month and InnerAct Alliance has been recognized for hosting one of the largest drug prevention awareness campaigns in the state of Florida! Each year, we distribute Red Ribbons, the national symbol for drug prevention, to encourage schools, churches, and community members to wear and display them in support of a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

A Tradition Born in 1992: The first Red Ribbon Run began in October 1992 as a one-mile fun run to prevent harm and promote health. This beloved community event has grown tremendously over the past three decades!

Today's Red Ribbon Run features:

Kids Fun Run (FREE for grades K-8)

Family Fun Run for adults to run/walk with their children

World Tour vendor area with healthy snacks & fitness activities

Trophies and ribbons awarded in timed grade heats

Save the Date:

The 2026 Red Ribbon Run is Saturday, October 31! Join thousands of families at Lake Mirror in Lakeland for this FREE celebration of healthy, drug-free living. Registration opens soon!

Support the Red Ribbon Run:
$40 = 4 families can participate in the 2026 Red Ribbon Run
$500 = sponsor a Grade Heat
$1,000 = Bronze Sponsorship + your name on Run t-shirts
$4,000 = Silver Sponsorship + your name on Run T-t-shirts

Donate by

Texting IAA to 26989

https://www.inneractalliance.org/#donate

#40Years40Stories #InnerActAlliance #RedRibbonRun #RedRibbonMonth #DrugFreeLiving #PolkCounty #LakeMirror #HealthyFamilies #PreventionWorks

Celebrating Black History Month

 

During the month of February, we honor Black History Month across the United States to celebrate the contributions and achievements of Black and African Americans past and present and take time to learn more about diverse communities, cultures, and people.

Black History Month started with the past and the heroes who had the courage to stand up for what they believed in. Its message continues when we all make an effort to learn more about our neighbors and celebrate inclusion by attending special public events that bring in music, speakers, and activities in our community. During this month, let's deepen our understanding and commitment to freedom and equality as we continue to work to end racism in all forms. ❤

Thanks to April and our friends at Lakeland Mom for sharing a list of the Top 10 Things to Do in Polk  County this month including the City of Lakeland's Black History Festival in Jackson Park on Saturday, February 15, from 10am to 2pm. Attendees will enjoy artisan vendors, food trucks, activities for kids, and more for families. On the mobile stage, there will be entertainment from dance to the spoken word. Inside the Coleman-Bush building, the City will highlight the history of the building and Park. This is a FREE event open to the public and features fun for all ages.

Check out the fun in & around
Lakeland and Polk County this month

https://lakelandmom.com/things-to-do-in-february/?utm_content=link_id&utm_medium=email&utm_source=flodesk

Polk Teens Shop for Free Prom Formalwear Tomorrow Saturday Feb 7

 

UthMpact is proud to kick off the 13th year of the Project Prom effort to provide free formal wear to deserving high school students and educate about risky behaviors that may occur during prom and graduation time. Students with a Polk School ID may sign a pledge promising to celebrate alcohol- and substance-free and receive their dresses, suits, shoes, and accessories at no cost! 👗🕴 

Come down to the Project Prom Store this Saturday morning, February 7, from 11am to 4pm, at the Lakeland Square Mall, 3800 U.S. Hwy 98 North in Lakeland (use entrance to the right of Dillards). If you're not able to make it this weekend, additional Student Shopping Days will take place on Saturdays: February 21, March 7, and March 21.

The community may support the effort by donating gently used dresses, shoes, men's suits, and accessories - especially needed are dresses in sizes XS 0-3 and plus size (18+) and men's small suits, dress pants (waist 30-36") and shirts (all sizes), shoes, and accessories. Donations may be dropped off at the Project Prom Store on shopping dates or at the InnerAct Alliance office (8:30am to 4:30pm) weekdays at 621 South Florida Ave. in Lakeland). 

See you tomorrow!🎀

40 Years – 40 Stories of InnerAct Alliance – Story #3

 

Story #3 Bringing Back the Fifth Grade Rallies

For years, InnerAct Alliance hosted Red Ribbon Rallies for nearly 6,000 Fifth Grade students across Polk County, a powerful experience that reinforced critical substance abuse resistance skills before students entered middle school. The Rallies featured national speakers and community leaders who inspired students to make healthy choices. Kids were challenged to create original posters, poems, and essays celebrating the truth that most people do not use drugs or alcohol. Students shared deeply personal stories of how addictions affect families and why prevention matters so much.

One brave fifth grader wrote this powerful poem titled "This is Sad":

You know what?
Drugs are Bad.
Something else?
I don't know my dad.
Because he does drugs.
And that's really sad.
All I know is that his name is Tom.
And one day he left me and my Mom.
If he were drunk, some people he might kill.
But, I'll still have my Mom and Step-Dad Bill.

Now This is Sad: Budget constraints have prevented us from hosting Fifth Grade Rallies in recent years. Students have missed this crucial opportunity to bond as a positive peer group before entering middle school.

YOU Can Help Bring 5th Grade Rallies Back!
$400 = supplies and staff time
$4,000 = bus transportation for Lakeland or Winter Haven Rally
$4,000 = speakers & a/v personnel or venue rental

Together, we can restore this impactful tradition and reach thousands of students with life-changing prevention messages!

Donate by

Texting IAA to 26989

https://www.inneractalliance.org/#donate

#40Years40Stories #InnerActAlliance
#FifthGrade Rallies #PreventionMatters
#BringBackTheRallies #PolkCountySchools
#RedRibbon