This Saturday: 1st of 4 Project Homecoming Shopping Days

 

This Saturday, September 16 is the 1st of 4 scheduled Project HOCO SHOPPING DAYS for students with a Polk County School ID to shop for formal wear, sign a pledge to make healthy and safe choices at Homecoming, and receive their dresses and suits for FREE! 

Other scheduled Project HOCO Shopping Days will take place on Saturdays September 30, October 14 & 21, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the Project Prom/Project HOCO store location in the Lakeland Square Mall, 3800 U.S. 98N, in Lakeland (across from Rack Room Shoes). 

UthMpact’s goal is to promote a fun and safe Homecoming. Please visit our social media and website: https://www.facebook.com/ProjectPromofPolk/, www.uthmpact.org, www.projectprompolk.com. Or you may call Samantha McCain at the InnerAct Alliance office at (863) 802-0777, or email samantha.barwig@inneractalliance.org. 

Red Ribbon Run Registration Now Open at IAA.org

 

Registration for the Red Ribbon Run, which will take place on Saturday, October 28 at Lake Mirror in Lakeland is now open at InnerActAlliance.org - click on the all-new Red Ribbon Run tab at the top!

Kids register FREE before October 28 or pay $5 on the day of the event. Adults register for $5 to run/walk with their children in the Family Fun Run.

Register Today

https://www.inneractalliance.org

2023 Red Ribbon Run & Challenge October 28, 2023

 

The countdown is on for the Annual Red Ribbon Run! InnerAct Alliance and our title sponsor Publix Super Markets invite you to Run The World in the 2023 Red Ribbon Run on Saturday morning, October 28, to prevent harm and promote health! 

The Red Ribbon Run features lots of family fun starting with a Kids Fun Run around beautiful Lake Mirror in Lakeland, sponsored by MIDFLORIDA Credit Union. Students in grades K-8 can run in timed grade level heats and win trophies awarded for first, second, and third place in each gender and grade. Parents may run/walk with their children in untimed heats in the Family Fun Run. Check-in for the Kids Fun Run begins at 7:00 a.m. at Lake Mirror Auditorium, the Family Fun Run takes place at 8:30 a.m., and grade heats begin at 8:45 a.m. (times approximate). Registration for students in grades K-8 is FREE on the Red Ribbon Run tab at https://www.inneractalliance.org before October 28 and $5 on event day; Adults registration is $5 for the Family Fun Run. Kids must register by October 14 to be guaranteed a free Run t-shirt.    

This popular community event also includes an exciting new Florida Dairy Farmers World Tour vendor area featuring healthy snacks and activities from 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 28 by sponsoring, running, or volunteering at the Red Ribbon Run and like our InnerAct Alliance Facebook page for more information and family activities!"

Weekly Red Ribbon Challenges with themes of nutrition, fitness, and anti-bullying begin on September 25 with Family Day: A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children and continue through October on InnerAct Alliance.org for kids to complete and post their challenges on Facebook at

https://www.facebook.com/InnerActAlliance 

9/11/2001- Never Forget

 

22 years later:
 
a day that will never be forgotten

9/11/2001  

On this 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, we pause to remember those who lost their lives in the tragedy of September 11, 2001 and continue to pray for the families and loved ones they left behind.

On this day 22 years ago...

246 people went to sleep in preparation for their morning flights.

2,606 people went to sleep in preparation for work the next morning.

343 firefighters went to sleep in preparation for their morning shift.

60 police officers went to sleep in preparation for morning patrol.

8 paramedics went to sleep in preparation for the morning shift to help save lives.

None of them saw past 10:00 am September 11, 2001. 

In one single moment, life may never be the same. As you live and enjoy the breaths you take today, tonight before you go to sleep in preparation for tomorrow, hug the ones you love, snuggle a little tighter, and never take one second of life for granted.

Recommendations for Positive Weekend Vibes

 

Congrats - we finally made it to Friday! 😎 Sometimes a small change makes a big difference. With the weekend ahead, let's channel some positive vibes with some simple recommendations to change things up and refresh our days!

UthMpact Hosts 2023 Project HOCO Shopping Days

 

Fall football games mean it’s almost time for Homecoming! UthMpact is proud to continue the Project HOCO effort providing formal wear to teens in need. Students with a Polk County School ID can sign a Project HOCO Pledge promising to make healthy and safe choices during Homecoming festivities and receive dresses and suits for FREE! Over 5,500 prom and homecoming ensembles have been provided at no cost to young women and men in Polk County since 2013. 

2023 Student Shopping Days for Project HOCO are scheduled for Saturdays September 16 &  30, and October 14 & 21, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the Project Prom/Project HOCO store location in the Lakeland Square Mall, 3800 U.S. 98N, in Lakeland (across from Rack Room Shoes). 

Community members may support the Project Prom and Project Homecoming efforts by donating gently used dresses, shoes, men’s suits, ties, and accessories. Especially needed are ladies plus size dresses (size 18+) and smaller size dresses (size 0-4), along with men’s wear in smaller sizes. 

Donations may be dropped off at the Project Prom Store on shopping days or at InnerAct Alliance office at 621 South Florida Ave. in Lakeland (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., weekdays). A receipt will be provided for tax purposes. 

UthMpact’s goal is to promote a fun and safe Homecoming. Please visit our social media and website: https://www.facebook.com/ProjectPromofPolk/, www.uthmpact.org, www.projectprompolk.com. Or you may call Samantha McCain at the InnerAct Alliance office at (863) 802-0777, or email samantha.barwig@inneractalliance.org. 

September Self Care Ideas

 

Do you ever find yourself thinking that there’s not enough time in the day? No doubt we all have because each of us is juggling many roles in our lives. If you’re a parent, a student, an employee, or just about anyone, you may sometimes feel overwhelmed with day-to-day responsibilities. The idea of taking time for yourself may seem unimaginable, but there’s small things that can be done to make self-care and taking time for ourselves a little bit easier.

On average, most folks only spend 15 minutes a day on health-related self-care. Even if you don’t have 15 minutes to spare, it’s important to “take 5” to help reduce stress and anxiety levels and show self-compassion.

Thanks to our friends at @Positively Present, this colorful graphic suggests some fun and simple ideas for September Self-Care to remind us to take a moment to trash negative thoughts, celebrate what’s working, or maybe treat ourselves to a cup of warm tea to relax.