Red Ribbon Week observed Oct. 23-31

  • Lorrie Ross • Clay County Progress Some board members of People of Clay CARE stopped to pose for a picture during their ribbon tying on the Hayesville Square in October 2020. Red Ribbon Week is October 23 through October 31 and the group invites everyone to display a red ribbon on their door or front window. L-R: Board chairmen Daley Tucker, former board member and chair Harold Holbrook, founding member and board member Tanya Long, board member Terri Hager, and board secretary Debbie Tucker.
    Lorrie Ross • Clay County Progress Some board members of People of Clay CARE stopped to pose for a picture during their ribbon tying on the Hayesville Square in October 2020. Red Ribbon Week is October 23 through October 31 and the group invites everyone to display a red ribbon on their door or front window. L-R: Board chairmen Daley Tucker, former board member and chair Harold Holbrook, founding member and board member Tanya Long, board member Terri Hager, and board secretary Debbie Tucker.

    Tie a red ribbon. People of Clay CARE-Coalition Allies for Recovery and Education, encourages businesses, churches and civic organizations, as well as individuals, to participate in Red Ribbon Week, Oct. 23- Oct. 31.  In 2020, the Town of Hayesville even adopted a proclamation officially calling the week Red Ribbon Week and there will be a red ribbon tied on the door of town hall again this year. In addition, the students of Hayesville Schools will honor Red Ribbon week with several events planned by People of Clay coordinator Em Forbes.

    The Red Ribbon campaign began in 1988 in honor of DEA agent Kiki Camarena, who was kidnapped and murdered in 1985 while on assignment in Mexico. His friends and family began the remembrance in his hometown, but it became a national effort within a few years and is now the longest running drug prevention effort in the country. Using the symbol of the red ribbon, communities make a stand against drugs and commit to a drug-free lifestyle in a visible way.

    As a substance misuse prevention coalition, People of Clay CARE is bringing back the annual tradition to Clay County businesses to show solidarity in the community. Coalition members will be tying red ribbons around the Hayesville Square, starting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26. Stop by and tie a ribbon or tie on on your business or house door and email a picture to be posted on our Facebook page. Email: peopleofclaycare@gmail.com or like People of Clay CARE on Facebook to learn more about local prevention efforts.