2015 Red Ribbon Kids Fun Run Results

2015 Red Ribbon Kids Fun Run Results

Polk County, FL – The 2015 Red Ribbon Kids Fun Run took place on Saturday, November 7^th, continuing a 24-year tradition of InnerAct Alliance presenting one of the largest Red Ribbon Campaigns in the state. The Kids Fun Run was presented by InnerAct Alliance, event sponsor, MIDFlorida Credit Union, and finish line sponsor, Florida Dairy Farmers.

Nearly 1,700 students in grade K-8 pre-registered to participate in the Kids Fun Run, and received free registration, a commemorative Run t-shirt, a complimentary children’s book and refreshments. The event was held in conjunction with Polk County’s 3^nd Annual Red Ribbon Half Marathon and 5K, presented by Title Sponsor Publix Super Markets, Inc., on a beautiful race course around picturesque Lake Mirror in downtown Lakeland.

Congratulations to the following Kids Run Winners, as well as to the top 3 elementary schools and top middle school winner of trophies for the largest percentage of participation students, based on school census number.

KINDERGARTEN
Girls                                                                                                      
Ava Jones, Sleepy Hill                                                     

Kemi Brown, Highlands Grove                                   
Alivia Fernandez, Highlands Grove                           

Boys

Jameson Carroll, Sikes

Parker Wilson, Lakeland Christian

Ayden Flores, Sikes

FIRST GRADE

Girls                                                                                                      
Haley Cookson, Highlands Grove                             
Lauren Limback, Polk City                                       
Lauren Lasater, Spessard Holland                          

Boys

Stryker Holmes, Medulla

Charles King, Philip O’Brien

George Sapp, Spessard Holland

SECOND GRADE
Girls                                                                                                      
Lauren Jordan, Lincoln                                                  
Ava Hutchings, South McKeel                                    
Chabraeya Wilson, Jewett                                           

Boys

Brayden Abden, Lincoln

Ethan Roberts, Highlands Grove

Brody Smith, Lincoln

THIRD GRADE
Girls                                                                                                      
Morgan Walsh, St. Paul Lutheran                             
Avery Smith, Lincoln                                                    

Margaret Jenkins, Jewett                                            

Boys

Paul N’cho-Rothrock, Carlton Palmore  

David Cookson, Highlands Grove

Logan Johnson, Lincoln                                                         

FOURTH GRADE
Girls                                                                                                     
Mahyla Miller, Scott Lake                                             

Scarlett McKendrick, Highlands Grove                    

Suzy Davis, South McKeel                                            

Boys

Jackson Winter, Lincoln

Connor Triplet, Medulla

Jihad Brown, Highlands Grove

FIFTH GRADE
Girls                                                                                                      
Te’shantis Myrick, Philip O’Brien                             
Ryla Bryant, Wendell Watson                                  
Reese Hughes, Rochelle                                                               

Boys

Jamareon Bell, Highlands Grove

Daidren Zipperer, Philip O’Brien

Terrance Myrick, Philip O’Brien

MIDDLE SCHOOL
Girls - Daniela Guerrero, South McKeel                                                                                                 

Boys - Julian Cervantes, Berkley Accelerated Middle

PARTICIPATION TROPHIES

Top 3 Elementary Schools                                                            

Philip O’Brien Elementary                                                           
Highlands Grove Elementary
Spessard Holland Elementary

Top Middle School
Lakeland Highlands Middle

For additional details and event info, please contact InnerAct Alliance’s executive director, Angie Ellison, at (863) 802-0777. 

Polk County’s Only Red Ribbon Half Marathon, 5K and Kids Fun Run

Polk County’s Only Red Ribbon Half Marathon, 5K and Kids Fun Run

Saturday, November 7, 2015 at the Lake Mirror Promenade

Polk County, FL – Polk County’s Annual Half Marathon, 5K and Kids Fun Run on Saturday, November 7, 2015 is just a week away! The Red Ribbon Run events, presented by Title Sponsor Publix Super Markets, Inc., and event partners, MIDFlorida Credit Union and Florida Dairy Farmers, is a family weekend where parents can compete in the Half Marathon or 5K, and children can participate in the Kids Fun Run.

Register by midnight on October 31, 2015 to save money on entry fees for the Half Marathon and 5K on the event website at www.RedRibbonHalf.com. The scenic run course will take place along picturesque Lake Mirror and Lakeland’s beautiful downtown and Lake to Lake area. Start time for the Half Marathon is 7:00 a.m., and the 5K begins at 7:30 a.m. Check-in will begin at 6:00 a.m. for both races.

Kids Fun Run Registration for students in grades K-8 is FREE and includes a commemorative Run t-shirt for pre-registered participants, along with free refreshments! Registration check-in will take place at the Lake Mirror Auditorium, starting at 7:00 a.m. The Fun Run will start at 8:00 a.m. at Lake Mirror Promenade, 121 S. Lake Ave., in Lakeland, and follow a route that will loop around Lake Mirror and end back in the Promenade area. Awards will be given for 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd place runners in gender categories, as well as to the top 3 elementary schools and top middle school with the largest percentage of participating students, based on school census number.

Supporters can also participate in a Red Ribbon Virtual Race for the Half Marathon and 5K. Virtual race profiles can be created at www.makeyeshappen.com/heronation. For those who wish to track training efforts, your Garmin, Runkeeper, or Fitbit can be connected to automate workouts. Cost is $50 and participants receive a Red Ribbon Hero Nation t-shirt.

At the conclusion of the Run events, everyone is invited to stay to enjoy the Annual Veterans Day Parade at Lake Mirror Promenade with lots of red, white and blue events to honor our heroes, including a fly over presented by Draken International. Save on the cost of lunch for your family by visiting the event website at www.RedRibbonHalf.com (under race registration – race store tab) to pre-order a delicious BBQ sandwich, chips and a drink, provided by Jimbo’s Pit BarBQ. Kids’ meals are also available. Cost for lunch will be more expensive on event day!

For additional details and event info, please contact InnerAct Alliance's executive director, Angie Ellison, at (863) 802-0777 or visit the official event website at: www.redribbonhalf.com, on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RedRibbonHalf and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RedRibbonRunSeries 

InnerAct Alliance Awarded TD Charitable Foundation Grant

InnerAct Alliance Awarded TD Charitable Foundation Grant

Polk County, FL – InnerAct Alliance is the proud recipient of a generous grant from TD Charitable Foundation to support evidence-based prevention programming that also encompasses anti-bullying education. The grant, provided through TD Bank, will allow InnerAct Alliance to introduce the “Too Good for Drugs and Violence” program to three additional schools and approximately 330 more students in the Polk County Schools.

“Too Good for Drugs and Violence”, developed by the Mendez Foundation, has been approved by the Federal Government and is listed on the National Registry for Evidence Based Prevention Programs (NREEP). This indicates that the program has been through the scientific trial process and proven to be effective.

The objective of “Too Good for Drugs and Violence”, taught over a period of 10 weeks, is to increase skills for de-escalating potential bullying situations and to build skills that point students towards success in school and in life. We know statistically that the more successful an individual is in school, the less likely they are to become involved in risky behaviors. This innovative program has five interwoven components: Goal Setting, Decision Making, Bonding with Others, Identifying and Managing Emotions, and Communicating Effectively.

“InnerAct Alliance is honored to have been chosen as a recipient of the TD Charitable Foundation grant and we are extremely grateful to our prevention partners at TD Bank for their support!” said Angie Ellison, executive director. “The funding will allow our prevention education efforts to continue to expand and strengthen our students, schools, and community.”

InnerAct Alliance, formerly the Drug Prevention Resource Center, has worked diligently for the past 30 years 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. 

For additional information on InnerAct Alliance’s prevention programs and services in the community, please call (863) 802-0777.

UthMpact’s 2015 Project Homecoming Event – Saturday, October 10 and Sunday, October 11, 2015

Polk County, FL – With Homecoming season upon us, teen leaders from UthMpact are busy coordinating its first year of Project Homecoming to provide formal wear and accessories to deserving high school students in our community who might not otherwise be able to afford the expense of a fun Homecoming celebration.

Student Shopping Days to distribute dresses and menswear to those in need will take place this weekend on Saturday, October 10^th, from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm and Sunday, October 11^th, from Noon – 4:00 pm at Vintage Warehouse, 4308 Wallace Road, in Lakeland. High school students with a Polk County School ID can sign a Project Homecoming Pledge promising to make smart, healthy decisions on the evening of Homecoming and receive their formal wear for FREE!

We are asking for assistance from our community to support this effort, along with our Spring Project Prom event, by donating gently used dresses, men’s suits, shoes, purses, and accessories. These items may be dropped off at Vintage Warehouse during the shopping event hours this weekend, or at the InnerAct Alliance office, 621 South Florida Avenue in Lakeland, weekdays from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.

UthMpact is a coalition for teens by teens, empowering and educating teens to make healthy decisions and actions against alcohol, tobacco, and drug use.  Over the past three years, several hundred prom dresses and menswear have been provided to teens in need through the Project Prom effort in our community.

UthMpact's goal is to promote a fun and safe Homecoming night. For more information, please contact Emily Plank and Samantha Barwig, UthMpact Coordinators, at (863) 802-0777, or visit www.uthmpact.org

Polk County’s Only Red Ribbon Half Marathon, 5K & Kids Fun Run Saturday, November 7, 2015 at the Lake Mirror Promenade

Polk County’s Only Red Ribbon Half Marathon, 5K & Kids Fun Run
Saturday, November 7, 2015 at the Lake Mirror Promenade

Polk County, FL –Building on InnerAct Alliance’s successful 20+ years of momentum in presenting one of the largest Red Ribbon Campaigns in the state, the popular Red Ribbon tradition continues with Polk County’s Only Half Marathon, 5K & Fun Run on Saturday, November 7, 2015 in support of bullying and   substance abuse prevention, and in honor of our community’s many heroes.

The Red Ribbon Half Marathon, 5K & Fun Run, presented by Title Sponsor Publix Super Markets, Inc. and event partner MidFlorida Credit Union, is a Family Weekend where parents can compete in the Half Marathon or 5K, and children can participate in the Kids Fun Run. The scenic run course will take place along picturesque Lake Mirror and Lakeland’s beautiful downtown and Lake to Lake area.  Early registration at www.RedRibbonHalf.com is encouraged! Start time for the Half Marathon is 7:00 a.m., and the 5K begins at 7:30 a.m. Check-in will begin at 6:00 a.m. for both races.

A Kids Fun Run for students in grades K-8 begins at 8:00 a.m. Registration for the Fun Run is FREE and includes a commemorative Run t-shirt for pre-registered participants and free refreshments. Registration check-in will take place at the Lake Mirror Auditorium, at 7:00 a.m. The Fun Run will start and finish at Lake Mirror Promenade, 121 S. Lake Ave., in Lakeland, and follow a route that loops around Lake Mirror. 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.

New this year, we have added a Red Ribbon Virtual Race to track training efforts for the Half Marathon and 5K. Virtual race profiles can be created at www.makeyeshappen.com/heronation and your Garmin, Runkeeper, or Fitbit can be connected to automate workouts. Cost is just $50 and participants receive a Red Ribbon Hero Nation t-shirt.

We are excited about a new partnership with the Polk County Veterans Council that includes the Annual Veterans Day Parade in event festivities. The parade will end at the Lake Mirror Promenade at the conclusion of the day’s races with lots of red, white and blue events to honor our heroes, including a fly over presented by Draken International! Visit www.RedRibbonHalf.com (under race registration – race store tab) to preorder a delicious family lunch of a BBQ sandwich, chips and a drink for just $6 or 2 for $10, provided by Jimbo’s Pit BarBQ. Kids’ meals are also available.

For additional details and event info, please contact InnerAct Alliance’s executive director, Angie Ellison, at (863) 802-0777. Info is also available at the official event website at: www.redribbonhalf.com, on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/RedRibbonHalf and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RedRibbonRunSeries

National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day - Saturday, September 26, 2015

NATIONAL PRESCRIPTION DRUG TAKE-BACK DAY
Saturday, September 26, 2015

Polk County, FL – StandUP Polk and local law enforcement agencies are proud to join The Drug Enforcement Administration and its national and community partners for National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, September 26, 2015, 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 addresses a vital public safety and public health issue.  Many Americans are not 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, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away – both potential safety and health hazards.

Our community’s Prescription Drug Take-Back Day will include 6 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
Haines City Police Department – 35400 Highway 27, Haines City, FL
Lake Alfred Police Department – 190 North Seminole Avenue, Lake Alfred, FL
Lake Wales Police Department - 133 East Tillman Avenue, Lake Wales, FL
Lakeland Police Department – 219 N. Massachusetts Avenue, Lakeland, FL
Winter Haven Police Department – 125 North Lake Silver Drive NW, Winter Haven, FL

Unwanted medications, excluding those in liquid form, may also be taken to the county’s permanent drop site locations at the Police Department locations in Auburndale, Haines City, Lake Alfred, Lakeland and Winter Haven. Additionally, medications may be safely disposed of at home by dissolving them in water, mixing with coffee grounds or cat litter, pouring into a zip lock bag, and disposing in the trash. To avoid harming lakes and ground water, please do not dump medications into the toilet.

Previous medication collections held in Polk County since 2010 have resulted in over 6,500 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.

UthMpact Business Etiquette Dinner Held on September 9, 2015

UthMpact Business Etiquette Dinner
September 9, 2015 

Polk County, FL - Students participating in the 2015-2016 UthMpact Leadership Class V attended a special Business Etiquette Dinner on Wednesday evening, September 9, 2015, at Grasslands Golf & Country Club.  The event was presented by UthMpact and sponsored by Leadership Lakeland Alumni Association.

The new UthMpact leaders, who represent almost every high school in the county, had an opportunity to network with representatives of the Leadership Lakeland Alumni, while practicing proper dinner and business etiquette and enjoying a delicious five-course meal. Special presentations during the evening were lead by Chrisanne Long, of Lakeland Business Leaders and Maximize Digital Media, and Jeanne Hebert, of Executives Etiquette.

UthMpact is the dynamic coalition of teen leaders committed to helping educate and deliver key substance abuse prevention messages to teens by their peers. The Leadership Program, spearheaded by InnerAct Alliance, StandUP Polk Coalition, UthMpact Coalition, and key business and community partners, is designed to help teens develop crucial leadership skills and entails a two-day summer retreat; six Leadership Days spent traveling throughout the community; as well as participation in dozens of events and volunteer opportunities throughout the year.

We are proud of the nearly 125 students representing almost every high school in the county who have been enriched by this program in its five years of existence. The group’s most prominent project has been its social-norms program that has impacted students in 8 area high schools with important messages about bullying, distracted driving, tobacco, marijuana, alcohol, and prescription drugs.

For additional information on the UthMpact Leadership Program, please call Emily Plank or Samantha Barwig at (863) 802-0777. We invite interested teens to attend UthMpact’s monthly meetings held on the first Wednesday of each month at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office on Jim Keene Blvd. in Winter Haven, FL. Please visit the UthMpact website at www.UthMpact.org, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/UthMpactPolk, and on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/UthmMpact.