The Red Ribbon campaign is the oldest and largest drug prevention awareness event in the country. Red Ribbon week is celebrated in elementary, middle and high schools throughout Porter County the last week in October. The kick-off celebration features the balloon release and culminates with the annual awards banquet for the placemat, poster and scholarship winners. This year Red Ribbon Week will be October 23-31, 2015.
This event has served as a vehicle for the past 24 years to create community awareness of the substance abuse problems that exists in the community and provide resources to the children through teacher led lesson plans. Students are asked to make a personal commitment to themselves, their family and the community by signing a pledge to lead a drug free life.
The council is currently accepting Red Ribbon scholarship applications on their website –www.portercountysac.org Interested students living in Porter County and are currently seniors in high school with an intent to attend a college, university, or vocational school are encouraged to apply. Student are to write an essay about “How Being Drug-Free Influenced My Life.” A complete list of contest rules and application can be found at www.portercountysac.org under the Council Members tab. Deadline for applications is Monday, April 6 @ 4:30 pm. Applications are to be either hand delivered or delivered via U.S. Mail to the postbox at 254 S. Morgan Blvd, Valparaiso, Indiana– delivered, not post marked by that date.
Call the Porter County Substance Abuse Council at 219-462-0946 for additional information.