USE: October 16 October 25, 2012

Columbia County Community Connections

i. .

Media Contact
Shelley-Ann Williams
Columbia County Community Connections
(706) 556-0609
swilliams@connectcolumbia.org


COLUMBIA COUNTY COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS HOSTS
MONSTER MASH
CCCC combines fun activities and underage drinking prevention for Red Ribbon Week


AUGUSTA, Ga. (Oct. 16, 2012) Columbia County Community Connections is supporting

this years Red Ribbon Week by putting on a Monster Mash event in Harlem City Park on

October 25.

Red Ribbon Week is an annual, nationwide campaign sponsored by the National Family

Partnership. The mission of the campaign is to motivate communities to educate their youth on

drug awareness and participate in drug prevention activities. NFP sponsored the first National

Red Ribbon Celebration in 1988 in honor of Enrique Camarena. He was a drug enforcement

administration agent who was killed in Mexico three years prior. As a result, friends and

neighbors wore red badges of satin in honor of his fight against illegal drugs.

CCCC is doing its part to bring awareness to the community by hosting a fun-filled

evening that includes games, a haunted house, food and face painting. During the event, the

public will have a chance to learn about how they can help prevent underage drinking. Each

attendant has a chance to receive pins and other items showcasing this years Red Ribbon

theme: The Best of Me is Drug Free in support of their stance against underage drinking.



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CCCC Hosts Monster Mash

Were really excited about this event, Teka Allen said, chief operating officer for

CCCC. Its important to us to try to bring awareness to serious issues among our youth in a way

thats engaging not only for parents but their children as well.

Julie Miller, executive officer, believes there is a connection between family values and

prevention.

Weve seen the devastating effects of underage drinking within our community, she

said. Prevention is most effective when parents and children can stand against it as a family.

Monster Mash will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is $2 per person or

participants can bring individually wrapped snacks to donate for Saturday Sacks, a program

which provides food on the weekend for students in need. Games will include Kinect, Wii and

Minute to Win It. Participants are encouraged to dress up in their best costumes and compete for

prizes. However, costumes are not mandatory. All ages are welcomed to attend the event.

Harlem City Park is located on 405 West Church Street in Harlem. For more information,

please call 706-556-0609.

Red Ribbon Week is from Oct. 23 to Oct. 31. CCCC encourages parents, guardians and

community members to sign the Red Ribbon Pledge, which is an agreement to set guidelines to

help children grow up safe, healthy and drug-free.


About Columbia County Community Connections

Columbia County Community Connections mission is to serve our community by providing
motivational and educational experiences to strengthen our youth and their families. These
experiences are created through collaborative efforts with community partners who help provide
fun and interactive programs, activities and events. For more information visit,
www.connectcolumbia.org.

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