LIVINGSTON MANOR – Livingston Manor Rotarians and students of the high school’s Interact Club promote healthy lifestyles for Red Ribbon Week with their annual drug and alcohol awareness event at Rotary Park on October 26. 

Jaime Snow, Chair of the Drug and Alcohol Awareness Event, said that the program is meant to continue the promotion of “a positive outlook” on the struggle to keep illegal and dangerous substances out of the community, and to put the Interact Club motto “service above self” into action.

Red Ribbon Week is recognized around the nation, and runs from October 23 to the 31 annually. It is a campaign to keep kids educated, aware, and adverse to illegal substances, drugs, and alcohol. This year’s theme was “Celebrate Life. Live Drug Free.”

The adverse weather around the county couldn’t hold back attendees from playing a variety of outdoor games that were available. Children of all ages enjoyed free face painting and balloon animals, with young ones testing out their rainboots in the mud left behind by the passing light rain. 

Members of the Interact Club spent the evening learning about safe and healthy lifestyle practices from various health organizations, including Sullivan 180 and Sullivan County Public Health, as well as serving fruit-based smoothies and other goodies.

Bringing a pack of friendly farm animals, including rabbits, a horse and a miniature pony, was the Livingston Manor-based Running W Farms. 

Making an appearance was the motorcycle club, the Bleeding Hearts LEMC. The club is populated by retired law enforcement and emergency first responders who know the dangers that illegal substances and alcohol can present to a community’s youth. 

Doug Smith, President of the Livingston Manor Rotary Club, said that events like these are important to the education of such youth throughout the community.