Union County Red Ribbon Day, #EveryoneKnowsSomeone ... Help Prevent the Next One

Oct 12, 2024 | 10am-3pm

Nomahegan Park, Cranford

07DAYS 16HOURS 40MINUTES 46SECONDS

Thank You for Joining Us For 26 Years of Red Ribbon Day.

For over 50 years, your friends at Prevention Links have been working hard to foster, empower & sustain safer & healthier communities. This year, we we celebrate 26 consecutive years of Union County’s Red Ribbon Prevention Awareness Walk & Family Fun Festival. Each year, community members, businesses, and non-profits gather to raise awareness and funds to…

Prevent Addiction, Celebrate Recovery, Promote Mental Health, and Strengthen Families.

Agenda

10AM – 11AM: Kickoff & Prevention Awareness Walk
11AM – 12PM: Opening Remarks & Award Ceremony
12PM – 3PM: Family Fun Festival

Carnival Games, Petting Zoo, Food Trucks, Face Painting, Music, Health Fair, Arts & Crafts, Pumpkin Painting, SWAT Truck…and so much more!

Walking

Walking as a team or individual for Red Ribbon helps strengthen our impact in raising awareness for drug use prevention and addiction recovery. It also supports Prevention Links in providing our free community programs & services. Walkers receive a complimentary Red Ribbon Day T-Shirt, Water Bottle, & Swag Bag!
Register

Fundraising

Fundraising as a team or individual for Red Ribbon helps support Prevention Links in providing our free community programs & services. Top fundraisers get a special spot on our Red Ribbon Leadership Board, and individuals that raise $500 or more receive various incentives!

Start your fundraiser today and make sure to check out our Red Ribbon Fundraising Guide for the fundraising prize chart, tips & trick, email templates, and more!

Fundraiser Guide

Fundraise

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.

Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

Interested in being a 26th Annual Red Ribbon Sponsor?

Partnership doesn’t just support the safety and wellness of your community, but offers the opportunity to promote your business in a meaningful way. Across the region, your company’s name and logo will be shown as a supporter of this highly visible event which draws upwards of 1,000 participants each year.

By joining our movement, you’re joining thousands of New Jersey residents and businesses working towards creating a safer, healthier and happier community for us all to work and live in.

To join us, please reach out to Madeline Desrosiers (she/her) at mdesrosiers@preventionlinks.org

Sponsorship Packet

Why Join Our Cause?

Everyone Knows Someone…Help Prevent the Next One.

100K+
people lost their life to an overdose in 2022 alone. (CDC)
407K
teenagers met the criteria for Alcohol Use Disorder within the last year. (NCADS)
60%
of New Jersey residents needing addiction treatment never receive it. (DHS)
37%
of high school students reported they experienced poor mental health in 2022. (CDC)  

“What’s My Anti-Drug?” Poster Contest

As part of our 26th Annual Red Ribbon Day Drug 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 26th Annual Union County Red Ribbon Day on October 12th, 2024. Finalists will receive their gift card prize at the walk during the formal ceremony.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where to my walker registration/sponsorship/fundraiser funds go?

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.
Learn more about how leftover funds are used by looking at our annual impact report!
Where do I park?
Free parking will be available across the street from the park entrance at Union College: 1033 Springfield Ave, Cranford, NJ 07016 – our trusted law enforcement will make sure you get across the street safely!
Do I have to pay for the Family Fun Festival?
The Family Fun Festival is 100% free thanks to our sponsors!
How does my nonprofit sign up to exhibit?
Non-profits can exhibit for free at the Family Fun Festival health fair! To sign up, contact Kelley Ryan (she/her) at kryan@preventionlinks.org
Are there volunteer opportunities?
Yes! Please contact Kelley Ryan (she/her) at kryan@preventionlinks.org to learn about our Red Ribbon Day sponsorship opportunities
Are there walker registration scholarships available?
Yes! If you do not have the financial means to register for our walk but want to help us raise awareness by participating, please contact Madeline Desrosiers (she/her) at mdesrosiers@preventionlinks.org
Are you accepting in-kind donations like food & other products?
Yes! If your company is interested in donating any food/beverage/gift cards/entertainment services/etc, please contact Madeline Desrosiers (she/her) at mdesrosiers@preventionlinks.org