Red Ribbon Week Kick-Off a Huge Success

Over 300 Tippecanoe County community members, and elementary, middle and high school students came together this morning to kick start Red Ribbon Week 2010. Red Ribbon week is an awareness week celebrated across the United States to reduce the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.

Each year the coalition holds a Red Ribbon Breakfast to kick off the week's activities. Prior to that students in elementary and middle schools across Tippecanoe County participate in a bookmark contest. Students create bookmarks with messages about staying drug-free. One bookmark winner is chosen from each school. This year we had 26 bookmark contest winners.

The bookmarks will be available at the Tippecanoe County Public Library's Main Campus and Ivy Tech Campus throughout the week.

West Lafayette Mayor John Dennis, Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski, County Commissioner Tom Murtaugh and Purdue University Vice President of Student Affairs Melissa Exum read the this years "Red Ribbon Week Proclamation" encouraging all community members to continue to take part in making Tippecanoe County a safe and health place to live, work and learn!
Purdue woman's basketball, assistant coach, Nadine Morgan encouraged the students to remain drug-free with the ABC's. One student from each table stood and read a reason to stay drug-free. In the end we had 26 reasons, one for every letter of the alphabet!

For a list of activities going on this week click here.

Red Ribbon Week :: October 25th - 31st

Don't forget to keep your Red Ribbon Week gear! Free and discounted events require that you wear your Red Ribbon week t-shirts, bracelets, ribbons, etc. in order to receive incentives. If your school does not have Red Ribbon gear, make your own red ribbon out of red paper! Below you will find a list of activities occuring throughout the week in Tippecanoe County

Red Ribbon Kick-Off Breakfast

Monday, October 25th
The Trails Banquet Facility, 325 Burnett Road, West Lafayette.
Doors open at 7 a.m., breakfast will be served at 7:30, and speakers will begin at 8 a.m.

Tickets are required. Please contact kate@dftipp.orgThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it if you have questions.

Payment for the breakfast is not necessary, but donations are welcome. Please make checks payable to Drug-Free Coalition of Tippecanoe County and mail to 100 Saw Mill Road, Suite 2204, Lafayette, IN.

Thank you to our breakfast sponsors Vicki Burch (West Lafayette City Council, District 4), Fraternal Order of Police, NeoVision, PEFCU and Turning Point Counseling.

Red Ribbon Week Events

Sunday, October 24

Decorate the Tippecanoe County Courthouse with red ribbons at 2 p.m. to raise Red Ribbon Week awareness

Monday through Friday, October 25-29

$5 admission to Monkey Joe's for students wearing Red Ribbon gear

Tuesday, October 26

Free game of golf (18 holes) at Monster Mini-Golf from 5-8 p.m. for students wearing Red Ribbon gear, plus a $25 off party coupon and free admission coupon upon leaving

Wednesday, October 27

Free admission to Snapperz from 5-8 p.m. for students wearing Red Ribbon gear

Thursday, October 28

One free game of bowling at Star Lanes from 4-6 p.m. for students wearing Red Ribbon gear

Friday, October 29

One free game of bowling, shoes included, at Mike Aulby's Arrowhead Bowl from 8-1 for students wearing Red Ribbon gear

Saturday, October 30

Free admission to Great Skates of Lafayette from 2:30-5 (does not include skate rental) for students wearing Red Ribbon gear

Saturday and Sunday, October 30-31

Free showing of The Last Airbender at Eastside 9 and Wabash Landing theatres at 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. Classic Kids Pack concession discounted from $3 to $2 for any student wearing Red Ribbon gear.

Keep your Red Ribbon Week gear! Free and discounted events require that you wear your Red Ribbon week t-shirts, bracelets, ribbons, etc. in order to receive incentives. If your school does not have Red Ribbon gear, make your own red ribbon out of red paper!

A special THANKS to our 2010 activity sponsors:

Heading out to a Purdue game? Consider tailgating in the Family Zone

Purdue University will offer a family-friendly parking area for tailgating before home football games this year.

Family Zone, located at the front of the Gold Lot off of Third Street, and will be available at all Purdue University home football games.

The Family Zone is close to Streetfest, which is held before each home game. Street Fest is a fun family event that begins approximately three hours prior to kick off. Streetfest includes inflatables such as a bounce house and a bungee run, an interactive area, temporary Purdue tattoos, and visits from various athletic team players.

Family Zone is a project of the Drug-Free Coalition of Tippecanoe County and Purdue University.

“The Drug-Free Coalition of Tippecanoe County is excited to work with Purdue to provide a family-friendly area where young people can comfortably tailgate,” said Karah Rawlings, coalition director.

Cost to park in the Gold Lot is $10. Ushers will direct cars to the Family Zone.