See the red ribbon in our logo? That represents the foundation of our organization and our dedication to the principles it represents.
So you can imagine that Red Ribbon Week is a big deal for us around here, and we’ve been observing it wholeheartedly. We hope you have, too!
Red Ribbon Week, celebrated annually from October 23-31, is the nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention awareness program. It’s the largest drug-abuse prevention campaign in the country, targeted to K-12 students.
The purpose of Red Ribbon Week is to raise awareness among the young about the use and abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and other harmful drugs.
As we wrap up this important week, we want to draw your attention to some ongoing events.
Red Ribbon Photo Contest
Time is running out to enter the Red Ribbon Photo Contest, which ends on Monday, November 1, 2021. The prize is an iPad and $1,000 for your school, so if you haven’t entered yet, don’t wait!
Two ways to enter:
- Families may submit a photo of home decoration on your front door, mailbox, or fence that incorporates a double-looped red ribbon and this year’s theme, “Drug Free Looks Like Me.”™
- Schools may submit a photo of a school decoration using the double-looped red ribbon and this year’s theme.
Two ways to win:
- Receive the most votes in your Region for your entry.
- Receive one of the following Judges Awards:
Home entries
- Most Creative Home
- Best Use of Family and Community
- Best Use of This Year’s Theme
- Most Ambitious
- Most Educational
School entries
- Most Creative School
- Best Use of School and Community
- Best Use of This Year’s Theme
- Most Ambitious
- Most Educational
Hint: Having people in your photo is a plus!
Upload your photo here. You must be 18 years old to enter, so parents, school staff, or PTA members must submit the photos.
Then ask your friends, family members, colleagues, and school contacts to vote for your photo between November 2 and November 16, 2021. Winners will be announced on December 2, 2021.
2022 Red Ribbon Week Theme Contest
Each year, the Red Ribbon Week Theme is based on suggestions submitted in the National Family Partnership’s nationwide contest. The winner receives $500 in Red Ribbon Themed merchandise, and the deadline for submissions is December 4, 2021.
This year’s theme is “Drug Free Looks Like Me,”™ created by Marin Wurst, a seventh-grader at Solon Middle School in Solon, Ohio. It’s meant to be a reminder that everyday Americans around the country make significant daily contributions to their communities by being the best they can be because they live drug-free.
Here are some other recent themes to get you started:
- “Life is Your Journey. Travel Drug Free.”
- “YOLO. Be Drug Free.”
- “The Best Me is Drug Free.”
- “It’s Up to Me to Be Drug Free.”
Entries can include a unique design or a double-looped red ribbon, but the artwork is not required. While the red ribbon should be prominently featured, in the design, don’t be afraid to use other colors as well.
So don’t wait! Come up with a brief, catchy slogan that best captures the spirit of Red Ribbon Week and you could be the winner.
Click this link to learn how to enter, either by email or regular mail.
Join Informed Families in proudly wearing your red ribbon, taking the pledge, and sharing the Red Ribbon message with everyone you know!
-Peggy B. Sapp, President & CEO
