Fifth Graders to Participate in Red Ribbon Rallies on May 9 and May 15, 2018

FIFTH-GRADERS TO PARTICIPATE IN
RED RIBBON RALLIES ON MAY 9 and MAY 15, 2018

Over 6,000 fifth grade students have been invited by InnerAct Alliance to attend Red Ribbon Rallies in May to encourage the choice of a positive lifestyle without the use of drugs. Events will take place on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. at RP Funding Center in Lakeland for students in the greater Lakeland area, and on Tuesday, May 15, 2018 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. This is the first time that a second session has been added to the Winter Haven/Haines City rallies.

The 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.

Fifth grade 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 while supporting positive healthy decisions through: Community Awareness and Support; Prevention Education; Economic Impact; 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.