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Every Kid Counts Participates in the Annual Red Ribbon Campaign The purpose of the Red Ribbon "Teaming Up Against Drugs" Campaign is to encourage kids of all ages to choose al "Drug-Free" lifestyle. This is done through promotions, education and mentoring throughout Northern Arizona and across the country.
(Elementary Students in Show Low, Arizona) |
Every year Citizens Against Substance Abuse (CASA) in Flagstaff, Arizona hosts the annual Red Ribbon Campaign, which provides the children of Flagstaff the opportunity to participate in a drug-free pledge and meet NAU athletes at their schools. With the help of Every Kid Counts of Northern Arizona – Flagstaff Chapter, CASA has been able to expand the reach of Red Ribbon Week to include Tuba City, Showlow, Williams, Parks and other surrounding communities.
When CASA first stated this program in 1990, EKC's own Co-founder Rob Perelka, a student athlete at NAU at that time, had the privilege to be a part of this great cause. For the past two years, through Every Kid Counts, players from the Arizona Rattlers Arena Football Team, the Arizona Thunder Professional Indoor Soccer Team and former local professional sports figures have made the week long trip to these outlying areas, spreading the campaign’s message of "Choose Drug-Free".
In addition to these visits, on Friday night of this campaign week, Every Kid Counts hosts a dinner at a local restaurant to raise funds for the Red Ribbon Campaign, to help cover the costs of the event. Everyone is invited to attend and the restaurant donates 10 percent of sales form the dinner to Every Kid Counts. This gives the public a chance to meet these professional athletes and raise money for a great cause.
On Saturday, SAM’s Club of Flagstaff has served as the site for an autograph session with all the celebrity athletes in attendance. This event starts at 11:30 a.m. and goes until 2:30 p.m. The entire family is invited to meet the athletes and get their autographs as well as ask them questions about their professional sports careers. Every Kid Counts also holds a multi-prize raffle at SAM’s to raise funds for the Children of Single Parents Christmas Party in December. The tickets are normally $1 each and the prizes include an autographed sports pictures, balls, jerseys, and other great give-a-ways.