White Plains Cares Coalition Celebrates Red Ribbon Month
A kick-off event was held at City Hall Monday afternoon to announce activities planned for Red Ribbon month in White Plains.
The national event celebrated annually during the month of October, promotes a drug free lifestyle and encourages positive youth development. This year the event will be celebrated for the entire month of October in White Plains.
By wearing red ribbons and participating in community anti-drug events, young people pledge to live a drug-free life and pay tribute to DEA Special Agent Enriqué “Kiki” Camarena who was killed in 1985 by drug traffickers.
Red Ribbon started when several state parent organizations called on community groups to wear red ribbons during the last week of October as a symbol of their commitment to a drug-free community and in honor of Special Agent “Kiki” Camerana’s sacrifice.
The first Red Ribbon celebrations were held in La Mirada and Norwalk, California. In 1988, the National Family Partnership (NFP) coordinated the first National Red Ribbon event with President and Mrs. Reagan serving as honorary chairpersons.
Today, the City of White Plains, the White Plains Cares Coalition and the Youth Bureau’s Project Hope in collaboration with the White Plains School District, Westchester County Department of Health, the Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson, the Boy Scouts of America, YWCA, YMCA, the City of White Plains Department of Public Safety, the Office of Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore, the City of White Plains Parks & Recreation Department, the White Plains Community Action Program, POW’R Against Tobacco Coalition, Student Assistance Services, NY Presbyterian Hospital, and the White Plains Housing Authority have joined together to provide a month-long calendar of free events for the city’s youth and their families.
These include:
- Wednesday Family Game Nights, Oct. 9, 16 and 23 at the Microsoft Store in the Westchester mall. Registration is required. Visit rrmfamilygamenight.eventbrite.com
- Sidewalk Chalk Art, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 3 to 6 p.m. at the White Plains Youth Bureau After School Center, Slater Center and Winnbrook Housing and Tuesday, Oct. 22, 3 to 6 p.m. at Project learning Center, 70 Ferris Avenue, White Plains
- Family Fun Nights, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 6:30 p.m. at Winnbrook Housing Authority & Slater Community Center; Tuesday, Oct. 17, 6:30 p.m. at White Plains Public Library; and Tuesday, Oct. 22, 6:30 p.m. at 70 Ferris Avenue.
- Teen Night featuring games food and prizes Saturday, Oct. 19, 6 to 8 p.m. for children 12 to 18 at Battle Hill Teen Lounge.
- Free Ice Skating to the Ebersole Ice Skating Rink ($5 for skate rentals), Friday, Oct. 25, 8 to 10 p.m.
- Youth Day, Saturday, Oct. 26, 1 to 4 p.m. at the White Plains Youth Bureau, 11 Amherst Place, White Plains.
