Red Ribbon Week Coordination

Making the Most of Red Ribbon Week

Red Ribbon Week, celebrated in late October, is the largest drug prevention campaign in the nation. For Lodge DAP Chairs, it's your biggest annual opportunity to raise awareness and engage your community. Effective Red Ribbon Week planning can set the tone for your entire program.

The History and Significance

Red Ribbon Week honors DEA Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, who was murdered by drug traffickers in 1985. His hometown began wearing red ribbons in his memory, and the tradition grew into a nationwide movement.

Today, Red Ribbon Week (typically the last full week of October) reaches millions of students and families. The red ribbon symbolizes a commitment to a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

Planning Timeline

August (8-10 weeks before)

• Confirm Red Ribbon Week dates for the current year
• Contact schools about partnership opportunities
• Assess last year's activities—what worked and what didn't
• Order materials from your State Chair or the DAP catalog

September (4-6 weeks before)

• Finalize school partnerships and scheduled events
• Recruit volunteers for specific activities
• Coordinate with other community organizations
• Promote upcoming activities through lodge communications

Early October (2-3 weeks before)

• Confirm all logistics with schools and venues
• Prepare materials for distribution
• Finalize volunteer assignments
• Send press releases to local media

Week Before

• Remind all volunteers of their assignments
• Prepare materials for each event
• Confirm final details with all partners
• Designate someone to take photos for documentation

Red Ribbon Week Activity Ideas

School-Based Activities

• Ribbon distribution: Provide red ribbons for students and staff to wear
• Pledge drives: Students sign pledges to stay drug-free
• Themed dress days: "Wear red for a drug-free life"
• School assemblies: Larger presentations during the week
• Classroom visits: Individual presentations with discussions
• Poster or essay contests: Students create drug-free messages
• Morning announcements: DAP facts read during school announcements

Community Activities

• Community walks: Red Ribbon walk/run events
• Business participation: Local businesses display red ribbons
• City proclamations: Mayor declares Red Ribbon Week
• Library displays: Drug prevention materials at public libraries
• Youth sports integration: Red ribbons at youth athletic events

Lodge Activities

• Decorate the lodge: Red ribbon displays visible to all visitors
• Member education: Brief Red Ribbon Week presentation at lodge meeting
• Social media campaign: Share photos and messages online
• Invite the community: Host an open house or family event

Working with the Official Campaign

The National Family Partnership coordinates Red Ribbon Week nationally. Their website provides:

• Official theme and messaging for the year
• Activity ideas and planning guides
• Downloadable resources and templates
• Ways to register your events

Align your activities with the national theme when possible.

Measuring Your Impact

Document your Red Ribbon Week activities:

• Number of schools participating
• Number of students reached
• Materials distributed
• Community events held
• Media coverage received
• Volunteer hours contributed

This data demonstrates your program's impact and supports CLMS reporting.

After Red Ribbon Week

• Send thank-you notes to all partners
• Report activities in CLMS
• Share successes with your District and State Chairs
• Debrief with your volunteer team—what should you do differently next year?
• Begin planning for next year while everything is fresh