How to Practice Positivity and Keep Growing

 

It is said that to live a full life, we must continue to work on improving ourselves. It's easy to get stuck in our comfort zone, but to truly grow, we need to take steps towards improvement to help us reach our fullest potential. 👍

Personal growth is rooted in continuing to take steps to become a better person. It involves taking chances on doing things you love and have a passion for, rather than taking the easy way out. It's learning how to make the most of your life and living your life to the fullest to become the BEST version of yourself.

We can practice positivity by creating a personal growth plan - start with small steps like the suggestions in this festive pumpkin graphic 🧡 from our friends at @ Positively Present such as Seek out inner peace; Practice acts of patience; Master a new skill; and Open your mind to new ideas, plus more.

Don't be afraid to dream big...but take small steps along the way! 

Clean Out the Family Medicine Cabinet for DEA’s Prescription Take-Back Day This Saturday, Oct. 24

 

StandUP Polk and local law enforcement agencies are proud to join the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and its national and community partners for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this Saturday, October 24, from 10:00am to 2:00pm.

Medicine stored in home cabinets is highly susceptible to abuse. 💊 Discarding medication by flushing it or throwing it in the trash also creates potential health and safety hazards. This event helps educate about the potential for abuse and offers a convenient, safe, and responsible means of disposal.

Our community's Prescription Drug Take-Back Day may include the following (6) Polk County locations for citizens to turn in human and pet prescription and  over-the-counter medications in liquid and solid form, as well as vaping pens and e-cigarette devices with batteries removed. Medication should be placed in a clear, air-tight plastic bag.

Bartow Police Dept. - 450 N. Broadway Ave.

Haines City Police Dept. - 35400 Highway 27

Lakeland Police Dept. - 219 N. Massachusetts Ave.

Lake Alfred Police Dept. - 190 N. Seminole Ave.

Lake Wales Police Dept. - 133 E. Tillman Ave.

Winter Haven Police Dept. - 125 N. Lake Silver Dr. NW

Medication 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). Note: Permanent drop boxes can only accept medication in solid form (no liquids or syringes).

Please contact StandUP Polk at (863) 802-0777 for more information.

Red Ribbon Challenge Week 4 – Invest In Yourself & In Your Future

 

Red Ribbon Challenge Week 4 is focused on the importance of Investing in Yourself & In Your Future. It's a great way to take time to learn about ourselves and other people, places, and cultures.

This can start with learning about your own family history. Sit down with your parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles and ask them about where you come from. You will hear some funny and interesting family stories. You can also look at pictures in photo albums, watch family movies together, talk about favorite music, movies, or tv shows.

This may inspire you to set a goal to start saving money to take a family trip - maybe to visit cousins or other family members. This can teach you about how to save money and help you get to know family members better to enrich their lives and your own future as you grow up.👪

If you decide to save your money in the bank, please visit our good friends at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union who generously support our community and help present the Kids Fun Run each year - come say hello to them at the Red Ribbon Run on Saturday, October 31 at Lake Mirror.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the 2026 Red Ribbon Weekly Challenges this month and...

Please Register to Participate in
the Red Ribbon Run on Saturday, October 31 

https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/Lakeland/InnerActAllianceRedRibbonRun

34th Annual Red Ribbon Run Takes Place on Saturday, October 31, 2026

 

Coming up in just under two short weeks is the Annual Red Ribbon Run, the popular community event to prevent harm and promote health. InnerAct Alliance and title sponsor, Publix Super Markets, invite students and families to Run The World in the 2026 Red Ribbon Run on Saturday morning, October 31.

This year's Red Ribbon Run features healthy family fun with the Kids Fun Run, sponsored by MIDFLORIDA Credit Union, around beautiful Lake Mirror in Lakeland, along with Family Fun Run for parents and adults to run or walk with their children. Registration is NOW OPEN for students in grades K-8 to register FREE for the Kids Fun Run and participate in timed grade level heats for a chance to win trophies awarded for first, second, and third place in each gender and grade. Registration is FREE for K-8 students through October 30, and $5 on the day of the event. Parent and Adult registration is $15 for the untimed Family Fun Run until October 30, and $20 on the day of the event.

Check-in for the Kids Fun Run begins at 6:30am at the Lake Mirror Auditorium. K-8 Grade Heats begin at 8:30 am with the Family Run Run at 10:45 am (please note times are approximate)

Register today on the InnerAct Alliance website's special Red Ribbon Run tab at: 

https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/Lakeland/InnerActAllianceRedRibbonRun

Students must register by October 16 to be guaranteed a free Run T-Shirt. After race heats, participant may visit the World Tour vendor area to enjoy healthy snacks, fun fitness activities, and entertainment celebrating cultures around the world.

"The Annual Red Ribbon Run encourages healthy life choices and educates about the dangers of substance abuse, bullying, and other risky behaviors," said InnerAct Alliance's Executive Director, Angie Ellison. "Join us on Saturday, October 31 by sponsoring, running, or volunteering at the Red Ribbon Run and visit our Facebook page for more information on these fun family activities!"

InnerAct Alliance Website

https://www.inneractalliance.org/

InnerAct Alliance Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/InnerActAlliance?fref=pb&hc_location=profile_browser

🎀

2026 Red Ribbon Run Poster

 

One of our favorite traditions at InnerAct Alliance is to post the Annual Red Ribbon Run Poster on the IAA Blog Spot online page to encourage Polk students, friends, and families to register for the Red Ribbon Run's Kids Fun Run and Family Fun Run coming up quickly on Saturday morning, October 31 at Lake Mirror in Lakeland, Florida. 🎀

This is also an exciting opportunity to encourage students, friends, families, teachers, administrators, and classmates to compete against one another to complete Red Ribbon Weekly Challenge Activities online through October 25! 💪

🎀 Are you Ready?  Set? -   POST & COMPETE!  🎀

Thanks to the City of Lakeland for a Proclamation of October as National Red Ribbon Month

 

InnerAct Alliance sends our thanks and appreciation to Mayor Sara Roberts McCarley and the City of Lakeland Commission for honoring our agency with an

On hand to accept the Proclamation were IAA's executive director, Angie Ellison, Board Vice President, Captain Rian Shea of the Polk Sheriff's Office, and our Prevention Specialist, Tammy Coker. 🎀

Red Ribbon Challenge Week 3 – Healthy Mind/Healthy Body

 

Red Ribbon Challenge Week 3 is focused on the theme of Healthy Mind/Healthy Body and finding ways to Be Your Best You! The GOAL is to eat foods that are good for you and finding fun ways to stay physically active. When you feel your best, you are able to help others too.

Fun activities suggested to challenge you may be learning yoga, concentrating on breathing in & out to focus your mind and calm your body, and having fun moving around like your favorite animal such as jumping like a kangaroo 🦘 or slithering like a snake 🐍

You can create and build a fun obstacle course - make it a fun competition with family and friends to complete it. Remember to register to participate in the 2026 Red Ribbon Run!

Kids participate FREE in the
Red Ribbon Weekly Challenges

https://www.inneractalliance.org/red-ribbon-run-challenges.html

Register to Participate in the Red Ribbon Run -
Kids Fun Run or Family Fun Run - on Saturday, October 31 at beautiful Lake Mirror in Lakeland!

https://www.inneractalliance.org/  

Get Your Cool Homecoming Attire FREE on Saturday, October 10!

 

Have you been out exploring and pricing the popular trends and outfit ideas for Homecoming 2026? Project HOCO will be happy to help you shop for FREE Homecoming Attire on Saturday, October 10!

Come on down to the Project Prom Store tomorrow, from 11am to 4pm, at Lakeland Square Mall, 3800 US 98N, in Lakeland (across from Rack Room Shoes). Polk County Students with a Polk School ID can sign a Project HOCO Pledge promising to make healthy and safe choices during Homecoming season and receive their dresses and suits for FREE!  

Nearly 6,000 prom and homecoming ensembles have been provided at no cost to young women and men in Polk County since 2013.

If you miss tomorrow's Shopping Day, there's one more opportunity to visit the Project Prom Store coming up next Saturday, October 17 - same time, same place! Happy Homecoming! 💜

Support Domestic Violence Awareness Month

 

Everyone deserves a relationship built on respect, trust, and safety. This Domestic Violence Awareness Month, let's commit to listening without judgment, recognizing the warning signs, and sharing resources that can save a life.💜

Free confidential help is just a call or text away at The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or Text "START" to 88788.

Locally, Peace River Center is hosting a Domestic Violence symposium on October 29th, featuring an engaging author panel discussion including Dominica Betty and Harlow Kedzie, LCSW, followed by Q&A, a book signing, Beyond the Report Training, and more.

For more info and to register, contact Peace River Center at (863) 519-0575 or visit them on their website at https://www.peacerivercenter.org/

Substance Use Prevention Lives in Everyday Things

 

The teen and young adult years are confusing, complicated, and formative. Understanding what's happening socially and developmentally - and how it can intersect with substance use - is fundamental to setting the stage for healthier outcomes. 👪

Research shows that connection is one of the most powerful ways to lower the risk of substance use and mental health challenges. Families may not realize is, but there is prevention work in everyday interactions with their children, like supporting a sport they love, listening to their opinions, and asking genuine questions about their day.

Showing up with curiosity and without judgment lays the foundation for connection and open communication with a loved one. 💝

To  learn more about prevention and healthy child development, visit the Partnership to End Addiction's Prevention and Early Action resources:

https://drugfree.org/prevention-and-early-action/?       

Fun Suggestions for Small Acts of Kindness for This Week’s Red Ribbon Challenge Week 2

 

There are some cool suggestions of small acts of kindness in this graphic from today's National Do Something Nice Day that match-up perfectly with our weekly Red Ribbon Challenge Week 2 theme of Kindness & Tolerance! 

Who wouldn't feel special to give or receive a sweet compliment? How about being treated to delicious donut, pumpkin muffin, or coffee? 😋Receiving a surprise postcard or greeting card in the mail? 

Things like these can make someone feel special and cared for today or any day! Do what you can to make someone smile 😊 - it will warm your heart and make YOU feel good too! 💓

Red Ribbon Challenge Week 2 – Kindness & Tolerance

 

Red Ribbon Challenge Week 2 is presented by our Red Ribbon sponsor, Polk Sheriff's Charities, Inc. to encourage ways to promote the positive using Kindness & Tolerance. 

You can make your world better by finding ways to help someone or make them feel better. This also includes yourself - through self-care and being kind to yourself as well.

Activities this week include starting a Kindness Journal, thinking of different Kindness Challenges you can do, making a Kindness Circle in PE class or at lunch, and registering to participate with your friends and family in the 2026 Red Ribbon Run on Saturday, October 31st.

Kids participate FREE in
Red Ribbon Weekly Challenges

https://www.inneractalliance.org/red-ribbon-run-challenges.html

Register TODAY to participate in the
2026 Red Ribbon Run

https://www.inneractalliance.org/

🎀   🎀  🎀  🎀   🎀

Registration is Open for This Year’s Red Ribbon Run!

 

Ready to get your run on in support of a drug-free community? 🎀

Registration is NOW OPEN for the Annual Red Ribbon Run on Saturday morning, October 31, 2026 at Lake Mirror in Lakeland. 

🎀 Free registration for K-8 Students for the Kids Fun Run is in effect for those who register prior to 10/30/26. Fee is $5 to register on the day of the event.

🎀 Parents and Adults may run with their children in the Family Fun Run for a $15 fee if you register before 10/30/26.

🎀 Register online by October 16 for a free Run T-Shirt. Shirts are not guaranteed for those who register after 10/16/26.

Be Part of Lakeland's favorite October
tradition where families run or walk
together to celebrate positive choices!

Registration Link

https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/Lakeland/InnerActAllianceRedRibbonRun

Event Information

https://www.inneractalliance.org/

2026 Red Ribbon Challenges Start This Week

 

October is Red Ribbon Month! Families can support prevention of substance abuse by participating in the Annual Red Ribbon Campaign events presented by InnerAct Alliance and our awesome Red Ribbon event title sponsor Publix Super Markets during October.

The Red Ribbon Challenges began online this week and continue through October 25 with a different health-oriented challenge featured each week for children to complete the fun activities with their family, friends, and classmates.

Red Ribbon Challenge Week #1 is presented by our event's title sponsor, Publix Super Markets, to encourage Family Dinner & Activities. Studies show that families who eat meals together build stronger relationships and foster better communication to help kids make more informed decisions. Fun activities this week include ideas for kids and parents to shop & cook meals together and exercise challenges to help everyone stay healthy and fit!

  Red Ribbon Weekly Challenges are FREE for Kids!

https://www.inneractalliance.org/red-ribbon-run-challenges.html

Post Completed Challenges on the IAA
Facebook page with hashtag #RedRibbonChallenges

https://www.facebook.com/InnerActAlliance?fref=pb&hc_location=profile_browser