Red Ribbon events slated in Havre

By Havre Daily News staff

Activities are set throughout the community next week to teach children the dangers of drug abuse during National Red Ribbon Week.

“As citizens, we have the right to live in drug-free families and communities, learn in drug-free schools, work in drug-free work places, and drive on drug-free highways,” a statement reads. “Since drugs will always be available, we must change attitudes to intolerance of the use of illegal drugs, and to the illegal use of legal drugs. The Red Ribbon Campaign is designed to create awareness, build community coalitions, support healthy, drug-free lifestyles, and encourage prevention planning and activities.”

A press release urges people to support the week’s message by:

• Wearing a red ribbon to demonstrate their support for a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

• Inviting family or friends over for a drug-free get together.

• Taking time to talk to their children about tobacco, alcohol and other drugs.

• Displaying a red ribbon, banner or poster in their window.

• Writing a letter to the editor about the benefits of living drug free.

• Remembering the simplest activity of all — sharing a smile and a word of praise with someone they know who is living a healthy, drug-free life.

Red Ribbon Family Night is scheduled at The Club in Boys & Girls Club of the Hi-Line, 500 First Ave., Wednesday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The night includes a free dinner, games and prizes. People do not need to be a Boys & Girls Club member to attend, but all children must be accompanied by an adult.

Events also are set through the week in local schools, along with events and supplies available throughout the community.

In the schools, different activites are set for each day:

Sunnyside Intermediate School

Monday: “It’s No Sweat Being Drug Free!” — Sweats Day

Tuesday: “Team Up Against Drugs!” — Sports Day

Wednesday: “Give Drugs the Boot!” — Western Day

Thursday: “Lei Off Drugs!” — Hawaiian Day

Friday: “Blue Pony!” — Show your pony pride

Havre Middle School

Monday: “Doing Drugs is Crazy!” — Wear crazy socks, shirts, or ties

Tuesday: “Partner-up to Fight Against Drugs!” — Wear Western attire or dress as twins/triplets

Wednesday: “Heroes are Drug Free!” — Dress as your favorite superhero/sports hero/teacher

Thursday: “Dress for Success!” — Girls: wear dress/skirt — Boys: Wear suit and tie

Friday: “Team-up Against Drugs!” — It’s Blue Pony Friday! Wear Blue Pony/other sports team colors.

Highland Park Elementary School

Monday: “Pledge to be Drug Free” — Sign the school’s Red Ribbon on the bulletin board by the office, color T-shirts and hang on lockers

Tuesday: “Be Comfortable with Yourself” — Wear sweats/clothing you can read

Wednesday: “Rockin’ it in Red!” — Wear red

Thursday: “Free to be Me!” — Wear crazy clothes/hair (mismatched, backwards, inside-out, etc.)

Friday: “Tip Your Hat and Read with Me; Be Drug Free!” — Wear hats, Kindergarten and 1st Grade class teams read together.

St. Jude Thaddeus School

Monday: “Kick Off RRW!” — Wear football jersey

Tuesday: “Lei Off Drugs!” — Wear Hawaiian clothes

Wednesday: “Sock It to Drugs!” — Wear crazy socks

Thursday: “Stomp Out Drugs!” — Wear boots

Friday: “Super Heroes Show Good Character!” — Dress as super hero/favorite character.

Lincoln McKinley Primary School

Monday: “I Mustache You to Stay Away from Drugs!” — Wear a mustache

Tuesday: “Being Drug Free is No Sweat!” — Wear sweats

Wednesday: “TEAM UP and Color Out Drugs!” — Wear classroom team color

Thursday: “Use Your Head; Don’t Use Drugs!” — Wear hat or crazy hair

Friday: “Make a Choice to be Drug Free!” — Wear red

School Buses will be decorated in celebration of Red Ribbon Week.

Other 2016 Red Ribbon Week events include the entire family: 

Hill County Senior Citizen Center — Red Ribbons will be available all week long.

Havre Police Department — People can drop off their unused prescription drugs to the Havre Police Department.

Monday and Tuesday, McGruff and Co — will visit Havre schools, with McGruff able to pose for photos.

Other events scheduled include:

Monday, Oct. 24

  Boys & Girls Club of the Hi-Line — McGruff & Co. drug free program kick-off, sponsored by HELP Committee. Red Ribbons will be distributed to Havre schools.

KOJM/KPQX Radio — Radio Contest will be held from 7 to 8 a.m. and 4 to 5 p.m. Callers answering a safety question correctly will win a McGruff backpack and shirt.

Tuesday, Oct. 25

KOJM/KPQX Radio — Second chance at winning Radio Contest.

City Pool — Red Ribbon Swim 7-9 p.m., free admission if wearing a red ribbon!

Wednesday, Oct. 26

KOJM/KPQX Radio — Still a chance to win radio contest.

Havre-Hill County Library — Story Time at 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Listen to stories about safety and receive a trick-or-treat bag. Red Ribbons will be distributed.

Boys & Girls Club of the Hi-Line — Family Night for all youth and their families (5:30-7 p.m.). Kids can have a free meal and participate in activities throughout the club. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Do not need to be a club member to attend.

Thursday, Oct. 27

KOJM/KPQX Radio — Still a chance to win Radio Contest.

We Hav(r)e Strength in Numbers — Everyone in the community is encouraged to wear red!

Friday, Oct 28

KOJM/KPQX Radio — Last chance to win radio contest.

MSU-N — People waring a red ribbon gain free admission the college volleyball game at Montana State University-Northern at 7 p.m. in the MSU-Northern Armory Gymnasium, the Skylights vs. the Carroll College Fighting Saints. 

  The Local Red Ribbon Campaign is supported by: HELP Committee. The 2016 Red Ribbon Committee honorary chairperson is McGruff the Crime Dog and the Committee Chairwoman is Jessie Henderson

People can contact the HELP Committee and Boys & Girls Club of the Hi-Line at 265-6206 for information on making their workplace drug-free; information on talking to their kids about drugs; or to be added to our mailing list for newsletters and event flyers.