Olympia plans Red Ribbon Week

[OCT. 21, 2006]  MINIER-ARMINGTON -- Police Chief Daryl Weseloh and his committee have been at work planning activities for Red Ribbon Week, a nationwide campaign to promote healthy, drug-free life styles. This year's theme is "Band Together to be Drug-Free." The Olympia West PTO and the Minier-Armington Police Department are sponsors for area activities in cooperation with the communities of Armington, Hopedale and Minier. The entire Olympia community can "band together" to participate.

Students at Olympia West and Olympia South will receive red D.A.R.E. wristbands to wear for the week and for special activities. Activities kicked off on Friday evening with all district elementary students wearing their D.A.R.E. wristbands being admitted free to the Oly football game. Sunday is "Red Ribbon Prayer Day," so check your local church bulletin for details.

On Monday, an 8:30 a.m. assembly at Oly West will launch the week's activities. Daily activities include the following:

• Monday -- "Turn Your Back on Drugs"
  Students, staff and citizens wear clothing backward.

• Tuesday -- "Sock it to Drugs"
  Students, staff and citizens wear silly socks.

• Wednesday -- "Put a Cap on Drugs"
  Students, staff and citizens wear their favorite hats all day.

• Thursday -- "Pull the Shades on Drugs"
  Students, staff and citizens wear sunglasses.

• 9 a.m. -- Parade in Armington

• 10 a.m. -- Parade in Hopedale

• Friday -- "Wear Red Day"
  Students, staff and citizens wear red.

• 1 p.m. -- Parade in Minier

• 6-9 p.m. -- Red Ribbon Rally at Grade School Park

The events will wrap up at the "Royal Rip-Roaring Regional Red Ribbon Rally" from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 27 at Grade School Park. Activities that evening will include a bonfire with free food, hayrack rides, bingo with prizes for all ages and a flashlight parade.

Participating in health and safety events are the "Drive Alive" DUI simulation of wearing night-vision goggles, Kiwanis Club child fingerprinting, Tazewell County ESDA (terrorism task force mobile command post), American Red Cross, Minier Fire and Rescue Squad, Illinois State Police, Tazewell-Pekin 911 Center, and the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority.

Please join the students of Olympia in making this a very important week of education. Join the fun and support the cause of safety and good health. Also, be sure to thank and support the other sponsors: Minier IGA, Pepsi, Signs of Success, FS Fast Stop of Minier, Burklund Distributors, First Farmers State Bank, and the Hopedale Medical Complex and Wellness Center.

For further information, contact Weseloh at the Minier-Armington Police Department, 309-392-2442.

[News release provided by the Minier-Armington Police Department]

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