October 11th, 2025
Nomahegan Park, Cranford, NJ
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
We’re Walking for Change. Will You Join Us?
Substance use doesn’t start in a vacuum and recovery doesn’t happen alone.
At Prevention Links, we’ve spent over 50 years walking alongside people and families through their most vulnerable moments. From the very first signs of risk in a young person, to the moment someone takes their first brave step into recovery – we are there.
Red Ribbon Day is a day for all of it, and it’s a declaration:
That addiction doesn’t define a person.
That prevention begins early, in our schools and homes.
That recovery is real, and that everyone deserves the support to get there.
That mental health matters and stigma kills.
That healing is possible when we walk together.
What Red Ribbon Day Looks Like
Held at Nomahegan Park in Cranford, Red Ribbon Day starts with a visibility-driven awareness walk and flows into a powerful day of community connection.
♥️ Walk to prevent substance use in our youth and support people in recovery
🎉 Stay for the Family Fun Festival: carnival games, food trucks, pumpkin painting, music, and more
🧠 Meet local resources offering prevention, mental health, and recovery support
💬 Share stories, build community, and break the silence
Register to Walk
Fundraising
Help us reach our $60,000 goal to expand life-saving programs.
Fundraisers receive various incentives like custom hoodies, gift cards, thank you dinners, and more! Start your fundraiser today and make sure to check out our Red Ribbon Fundraising Guide for the fundraising incentives chart, tips & trick, email templates, and more!
Stigma kills.
Raising awareness about drug prevention efforts and addiction recovery helps reduce stigma and could help save a life. Sharing facts about addiction prevention & recovery; prevention & recovery resources; and personal stories with the people you know makes a huge impact! Check out our social media pages for some content you could share on your own page.
Interested in Sponsoring Red Ribbon Day?
Join us in making a significant impact in our community by sponsoring Red Ribbon Day. Highlight your company’s commitment alongside hundreds of participants.
Contact Madeline Desrosiers (she/her) to join our sponsor list. mdesrosiers@preventionlinks.org
Why Join Our Cause?
Everyone Knows Someone…Help Prevent the Next One.
“What’s My Anti-Drug?” Poster Contest
As part of our 27th Annual Red Ribbon Day Drug Prevention festivities, we invite all Union County 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grade school students to participate and creatively present their anti-drug through art. Our local contest is part of the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign conducted by the Office of National Drug Control Policy in the United States. Union County Schools may register at the beginning of each school year and the winners are presented at our annual Red Ribbon Day event in October.
Students are asked to create a poster describing what they choose to do instead of drugs. This can include things such as sports, family, and hobbies. Posters will be judged strictly on originality and creativeness, not on artistic ability.
Three finalists from each grade level will be chosen to participate in an online voting contest that will help determine the winner(s) of each grade level. Poster Contest winners will then be announced at the in person 27th Annual Union County Red Ribbon Day in October of 2025. Finalists will receive their gift card prize at the walk during the formal ceremony.
Frequently Asked Questions
Great question! Funds raised individually or by your team go towards:
- Our Walker Fund which pays for walker registrations for individuals without means to pay;
- Supply and entertainment costs for the FREE Family Fun Festival which follows the race;
- Leftover funds go towards supporting our free community programs.
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