In celebration of the 28th annual Red Ribbon Week®, the National Family Partnership® (NFP) has announced the winners of its National Red Ribbon Photo Contest. Now in the contest’s third year, NFP called on families throughout the nation to participate by decorating their homes with this year’s theme, “A Healthy Me Is Drug Free™,” and submitting their original entries for voting on the NFP website. Voters judged entries on the creativity of the participants’ newly adorned front doors, mailboxes and more. Ten lucky winners were selected from various regions across the United States.
“We are proud to once again drive home the lifesaving message of prevention to families across the country,” said Peggy Sapp, NFP’s Volunteer President. “The Red Ribbon Week® contest allows families to spend time together creatively while emphasizing the importance of staying healthy and drug-free.” The DEA co-sponsored and supported this year’s contest, in honor of fallen DEA agent Kiki Camarena.
“The DEA is proud to partner with the National Family Partnership on this contest and other initiatives that spread the drug prevention message throughout our local communities,” said DEA Administrator Michele M. Leonhart.
“When Noah learned about the contest from his science teacher, Mrs. Habenicht, I thought it sounded like a good project. The directions for the contest were very easy to follow, which I appreciated as a busy, working mom. This is such an important issue and awareness starts at home. The contest was a great opportunity to reinforce the message of staying healthy by not using drugs. Best of all, the contest helped our son feel involved, like he could make a difference,” said Kimberly Rice, mother of the winning family from Cooper City.
“Red Ribbon Week and the contest tie in beautifully with my life science curriculum. I teach children that our bodies are miracles and having a healthy body is a gift. It’s such a long road when kids take that wrong turn. I want to do what I can to make young people aware. Thank you for making this program available,” said teacher Jeri Habenicht of Pioneer Middle School. Kimberly Rice and her son Noah.
About Red Ribbon Week® and the National Family Partnership (NFP)®
Red Ribbon Week® is the nation’s largest and oldest drug prevention campaign, reaching 80 million people each year. NFP spearheaded the national campaign in response to the 1985 death of DEA agent Kiki Camarena, who was abducted and murdered by drug traffickers in Mexico.
The NFP was established in 1980, and is a national leader in drug prevention, education and advocacy. Its mission is to lead and support our nation’s families and communities in nurturing the full potential of healthy, drug-free youth. For more information, please visit www.redribbon.org or www.nfp.org.
