National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, October 28, 2017

NATIONAL PRESCRIPTION DRUG TAKE-BACK DAY
Saturday, October 28, 2017

StandUP Polk, local law enforcement agencies, and Polk County Waste & Recycling, are proud to join The Drug Enforcement Administration and its national and community partners for National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, October 28, 2017, 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 safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medication. Many Americans may not be aware that medicines in home cabinets are highly susceptible to misuse and abuse. Studies show that many are obtained from the home medicine cabinet of family and friends. In addition, many people do not know how to properly dispose of unused medicine.

Our community’s Prescription Drug Take-Back Day will include the following locations in Polk County for citizens to turn in unused, expired, or unwanted Human and Pet Medications, including over the counter medications, vitamins, and other medication in liquid and solid form, for safe and 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
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
Lakeland Police Department – 219 N. Massachusetts Avenue, Lakeland, 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 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.  

An estimated 2,396 pounds of recovered pharmaceuticals were collected at the Spring Take Back event on April 29, 2017. The total for medication collections held in Polk County since 2010 have resulted in over 12,000 pounds of recovered pharmaceuticals safely disposed of via incineration. For more information on the local Prescription Drug Take-Back event, please contact StandUP Polk at (863) 802-0777.

REGISTER NOW for the 2017 RED RIBBON HALF MARATHON, 5K & KIDS RUN Saturday, November 11th

REGISTER NOW for the
2017 RED RIBBON HALF MARATHON, 5K and KIDS RUN

Saturday, November 11

Our community’s Red Ribbon tradition continues Saturday, November 11, 2017 with InnerAct Alliance’s Red Ribbon Half Marathon, 5K & Fun Run, presented by Title Sponsor Publix Super Markets, Inc., and Kids Run Sponsor, MIDFLORIDA Credit Union, in support of bullying and substance abuse prevention. It’s a fun Family Weekend where parents can compete in the Half Marathon or 5K, and K-8 students can participate in the Kids Fun Run. Registration is encouraged at www.RedRibbonHalf.com. Start time for the Half Marathon is 6:30 a.m., and the 5K begins at 7:00 a.m. Check-in will begin at 5:30 a.m. for the Half Marathon and 6:30 a.m. for the 5K.

A Kids Fun Run for K-8 students begins at 8:00 a.m., with check-in at 7:00 a.m. at the Lake Mirror Auditorium. The Fun Run is FREE for those who pre-register before November 1^st ($5 fee after 11/1/17) and includes a commemorative Run t-shirt and free refreshments. The Kids Run will start and finish at Lake Mirror Promenade, 121 S. Lake Avenue. Awards will be given for 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place runners in gender categories, and to the top 3 elementary schools and top middle school with the largest percentage of participating students, based on school census. The private school with the highest percentage of participation will also receive a trophy.

MORE FUN! You can honor a Veteran by nominating them for a FREE Run Registration when you register to run in the Half Marathon or 5K. Companies can compete in the Corporate Challenge to win a Traveling Trophy. The Lakeland Chamber of Commerce is presenting THE BIG EVENT: A Family Celebration of Lakeland, starting at 4:00 pm on November 11^th at the historic Lake Mirror Promenade. The BIG EVENT will feature a Salute to Veterans, live music, food, a kids’ fun zone, Business Expo, and more!

“The Annual Red Ribbon Run tradition is to promote 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 in honoring our Veterans on November 11^th by sponsoring, running, or volunteering at www.redribbonhalf.com or on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/RedRibbonRunSeries.”

September 14, 2017 – UthMpact Reschedules 2017 Project Hoco Shopping Days on Saturdays September 23, 30 and October 7

UthMpact Reschedules 2017 Project Hoco Shopping Days
Saturdays, September 23 & 30 and October 7

Polk County, FL – In the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, UthMpact has decided to reschedule its Project Hoco Student Shopping Days to provide FREE formal wear to deserving high school students who pledge to make smart, healthy, and safe decisions on the night of homecoming.

Student Shopping Days for Project Hoco will now be held on Saturdays September 23, September 30, and October 7, 2017, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at 2108 East Edgewood Drive, in Lakeland. Students with a Polk County School ID can sign a Project Hoco Pledge to celebrate drug-free and receive their dresses and suits for FREE!

Community members are also asked to support this effort by donating gently used dresses, shoes, men’s suits, ties, and other accessories. Formal wear donations may be dropped off on the shopping dates or at the InnerAct Alliance office on weekdays from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.

UthMpact’s goal is promote a fun and safe Homecoming night. For more information, please contact Samantha Barwig, UthMpact Coordinator, at (863) 802-0777.

UthMpact Coordinates 2017 Project Hoco Shopping Days Saturdays, September 16 & 30 and October 7

UthMpact Coordinates 2017 Project Hoco Shopping Days
Saturdays, September 16 & 30 and October 7

Polk County, FL – With Fall football games in full swing that means it’s almost Homecoming! For the past several years, teen leaders from UthMpact have successfully coordinated Project Prom to provide formal wear to deserving high school students. UthMpact is proud to present the third season of Project Hoco to offer FREE dresses and suits to teens who pledge to make smart, healthy, and safe decisions on the night of homecoming.

Student Shopping Days for Project Hoco will be held on Saturdays September 16, September 30, and October 7, 2017, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at 2108 East Edgewood Drive, in Lakeland. Students with a Polk County School ID can sign a Project Hoco Pledge to celebrate drug-free and receive their dresses and suits for FREE!

Community members are also asked to support this effort by donating gently used dresses, shoes, men’s suits, ties, and other accessories. Formal wear donations may be dropped off on the shopping dates or at the InnerAct Alliance office on weekdays from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.

UthMpact’s goal is promote a fun and safe Homecoming night. For more information, please contact Samantha Barwig, UthMpact Coordinator, at (863) 802-0777.