Backup Documents 10/22/2013 Item # 4APROCLAMA TION
WHEREAS, the Red Walk is an established provider of one -to -one youth involvement and has
addressed the importance of drug awareness for the past eleven years; and,
WHEREAS, the Red Walk provides adult mentors to thousands of children in Collier County's public
and private schools, and,
WHEREAS, the Red Walk was developed as part of the Red Ribbon Activities established by the
Substance Abuse Coalition of Collier County, as well as the Collier County Public School
System, in association with the National Drug Awareness Campaign to be presented
between October 23 -31, 2013; and,
WHEREAS, national research has shown that the positive messages supported by drug -free
activities help form strong bonds between youth and their communities leading to a
direct, measurable and lasting impact on children's lives, and that these children are
more likely to improve their grades and their relationships with families and peers while
being less likely to skip school, use illegal drugs or alcohol or become involved in criminal
activity; and,
WHEREAS, locally, the Red Walk has been bringing caring adults and community organizations into
the lives of children for ten years and is the only drug awareness walking program in
Southwest Florida; and,
WHEREAS, supporting the Red Walk's message of total community involvement in using local student
organizations, volunteer groups and professional institutions as positive models for a
healthy and drug -free lifestyle in Florida's ongoing effort to recruit and match caring
adult mentors with children in our community is an investment that pays immediate
dividends as well as dividends in the future; and,
WHEREAS, on Friday, October 25, 2013, the Red Walk will host its fourteenth anniversary trek on
and near the campus of Lely Elementary School from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
emphasizing the importance of awareness and positive choices in our lives and celebrating
the imperative message of good character building.
NOW THEREFORE, be it proclaimed by the Board of County Commissioners of Collier County, Florida,
that October 25, 2013, be designated as
THE FOURTEENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RED WALK
IN COLLIER COUNTY
DONE AND ORDERED THIS 2ed Day of October, 2013.
BOARD G?F ' OUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COLLIE C ; UNTY FLORIDA
CHAIRWOMAN