On Wednesday, October 22nd, 2014, Babylon Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer joined with members of the Town Board, local officials and community members to officially kick off Red Ribbon Week, held in conjunction with the Lindenhurst and Copiague Community Cares coalitions. Red Ribbon Week lasts from October 23rd to the 31st and is a national campaign to raise awareness regarding the dangers of substance abuse and to encourage drug prevention. The Town’s ceremony featured guest speakers who discussed the importance of the campaign with those in attendance.
The Red Ribbon campaign began in 1988 as an effort by the National Family Partnership to educate communities, specifically young people, about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse and to urge participation in drug prevention initiatives. The National Family Partnership began the Red Ribbon campaign in the memory of Enrique Camarena, a DEA agent who was murdered by drug dealers in 1985. Following his death, friends and colleagues of Camarena wore red ribbons in honor of him and to remember his anti-drug efforts. For more information on the Red Ribbon campaign, please visit http://redribbon.org/.
Pictured from left to right are Councilman Tom Donnelly; Nassau County Legislator Michael Venditto; Receiver of Taxes Corinne DiSomma; Olivia Raimondi, Judi Raimondi, Janet Lombardo, Sharon Fattoruso and Marcia Besserman of Lindenhurst and Copiague Community Cares coalition; Deputy Supervisor Tony Martinez; State Senator Phil Boyle; and Supervisor Schaffer.
Photo provided courtesy of the Copiague Gazette.
