Newark Elks #391 Bring Drug Awareness To Local Schools

Newark Elks Lodge #391 together with the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) were invited to join with 370 Newark City School students in the After School Program on Thursday, October 5, 2023. The purpose of the assembly was to kick off Red Ribbon Month and to bring students drug awareness information.

Lodge chairperson Becky Underhill, joined by Exalted Rulter Kathy Wise and PER Dave Underhill, shared information about the DAP Poster, Essay, and Video contests open to students in grades 3 though 12.

Not wanting to leave the 2nd graders out, Becky created a lodge contest for those kids giving them a chance to be a part of the contest and to win a prize. The committee chose a picture from the DAP coloring book to have the kids color. Those pictures will be returned for judging at the lodge in February along with other contest entries. A small dollar amount was reserved in the award budget for the winner in the 2nd grade category.

Joining Newark Lodge were two agents from the DEA giving the Red Ribbon History, talking about Halloween candy safety, and giving basic drug awareness information. They also brought some of their equipment to show the kids.

After a brief question and answer session, each student received a packet put together by the lodge of age related DAP items and information and a Red Ribbon. Teacher resources packets were also shared with the teachers in the After School Program.