Drug Awareness

Drug Awareness

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Welcome to the

Connecticut Elks Association

Drug Awareness Committee Page

"Drugs! Don't Get Me Started"

2007-2008 National Theme

Drug Awareness Committee
Debbie Angell PER	State Chairman
Kevin Ferguson PER	Central District
Anne Marie Field	Coastal District
Richard Jordan PER	East District
Elizabeth Ann Thisdale	Northwest District

PRIDE 2008 - “Courage to Stand” - Cincinnati, OHIO

Click here for the Pride cover letter (above)

(MS Word Format)

Click here for Pride Conference Highlights

(MS Word Format)

PRIDE 2008 Photographs

Statewide Poster and Essay Contest Results 2008

Congratulations to all the lodges that participated in this years contest. We went through 18,000 posters! This year was probably about the hardest year to judge as their were so many excellent entrees.

Here are the winners in the Elks drug awareness annual poster and essay contest, 2008. Note: I am still trying to verify the spelling of names from each school- this takes time!

Many state officers, Lodge drug awareness chairman, Lodge officers, and others enjoyed a nice time at Southington Lodge scoring.

Special congratulations to Jesse from Highland School in Wallingford. This poster was selected the best of state and will be forwarded to Grand Lodge for consideration in the next coloring book.

Special congratulations also to Mikaela from Vernon Center Middle School, sent in by the Rockville Lodge. This essay took best of state and will be forwarded to Grand Lodge for consideration of the national essay contest.

Thank you all who participated. You surely made a difference. You may have helped to save someone's life.

Keep smiling

Debbie

Poster and Essay Contest Results 2008

Grade 3:

1^st: Kayiah M., Smalley Academy, New Britain Lodge

2^nd: Katarzyna M.a, Smalley Academy, New Britain Lodge

3^rd: Jacob D., Plymouth Center, Southington Lodge

4^th: Savannah Q., Parker Farms School, Wallingford Lodge

5^th: Dana J., Mackrille School, West Haven Lodge

6^th: Alexis D., Killingly Central School, Danielson Lodge

Grade 4:

1^st: Jesse B., Highland School, Wallingford Lodge *

2^nd: Kevin B., Windermere School, Rockville Lodge

3^rd: Olivia E., West Hill School, Wethersfield/ Rocky Hill Lodge

4^th: Jacob J., Smalley Academy, New Britain Lodge

5^th: May V. Wintergreen Magnet School, Hamden Lodge

6^th: Destiny J., Smalley Academy, New Britain Lodge

Grade 5:

1^st: Rebecca K., St. Martha School, Enfield Lodge

2^nd: Shane D., Plymouth Center School, Southington Lodge

3^rd: Jessica J., Carrington School, Waterbury Lodge

4^th: Nicole C., Center Road School, Rockville Lodge

5^th: Michael C., Smith School, New Britain Lodge

6^th: Sean M., Windermere School, Rockville Lodge

Grade 6:

1^st: Taylor S., Torrington Middle School, Torrington Lodge

2^nd: Lauren L., St. Martha School, Enfield Lodge

3^rd: Mathew P., St. Bernard School, Enfield Lodge

4^th: Catherine D., Bailey Middle School, West Haven Lodge

5^th: Paulina K., Torrington Middle School, Torrington Lodge

6^th: Ryan A., Enfield Montessori School, Enfield Lodge

Grade 7:

1^st: Marissa F., Vernon Center Middle School, Rockville Lodge

2^nd: Mackenzie W., Vernon Center Middle School, Rockville Lodge

3^rd: Darrien M., St. Rita School, Hamden Lodge

4^th: Alexis C., St. Rita School, Hamden

5^th: Laura Q., Saints Peter and Paul School, Waterbury Lodge

6^th: Hannah F., St. Rita School, Hamden Lodge

Grade 8:

1^st: Mikaela A., Vernon Center Middle School, Rockville Lodge*

2^nd: Jessica C., St. Martha School, Enfield Lodge

3^rd: Jennifer C., St. Bernard’s School, Enfield Lodge

4^th: Tiana D., St. Peter /St Francis School, Torrington Lodge

5^th: Amy K., St. Peter / St. Francis School, Torrington Lodge

6^th: Kelly W., Vernon Center Middle School, Rockville Lodge

* Best in state

                                  Honorable Mention



Grade 3:

Donovan D., Smalley Academy, New Britain Lodge

Mary B., Enfield Montessori, Enfield Lodge

Julain A., St. Thomas Aquinas, Fairfield Lodge

Emily H., Jennings School, Fairfield Lodge

Madelyn M., St. Thomas Aquinas School, Fairfield Lodge

Riley P., West Hill School, Wethersfield/ Rocky Hill School Lodge

Elise M., St. Joseph’s School, Rockville Lodge

Teresa D., Highland Elementary School, Wallingford Lodge

Haille R., S. H. E. School, Danielson Lodge

Laura P., Highland Park School, Manchester Lodge

Grade 4:

Laurel G., Northeast School, Rockville Lodge

Flora G., Smith School, New Britain Lodge

Megan S., Windere School, Rockville Lodge

Dominica R., West Hill School, Wethersfield / Rocky Hill Lodge

Isabella A., Stratfield Elementary, Fairfield Lodge

Tyler T., Alma E. Pagels School, Milford Lodge

Nicole A., Killingly Memorial School, Danielson Lodge

Germaine L., Driggs School, Waterbury Lodge

Chiana Y., McKinley School, Fairfield Lodge

Morgan R., St. Thomas Aquinas, Fairfield Lodge

Grade 5:

Lexi G., St. Bernard, Enfield Lodge

Caitlin M., Highland Elementary School, Wallingford Lodge

Gwen P., Windermere School, Rockville Lodge

Sophi C., Plainfield Memorial School, Danielson Lodge

Amanda M., Stratfield Elementary, Fairfield Lodge

Julia E., Roger Sherman School, Fairfield Lodge

Mary J., St. Martha School, Enfield Lodge

Keerthy V., Stratfield Elementary School, Fairfield Lodge

Anyai B., Greene Hills School, Bristol Lodge

Molly G., St. Thomas Aquinas, Fairfield Lodge

Grade 6:

Ben T., Torrington Middle School, Torrington Lodge

Pranav S., St Peter/ St. Paul School, Waterbury Lodge

Amanda M., St. Martha School, Enfield Lodge



Grade 7:

Hannah D., St. Bernard School, Enfield Lodge

Megan G., Illing Middle School, Manchester Lodge

Joseph K., Illing Middle School, Manchester Lodge

Emily M., St. Anthony’s School, Winsted Lodge

Cortland A., Torrington Middle School, Torrington Lodge

Brianna M., Saints Peter and Paul School, Waterbury Lodge



Grade 8:

Shelby D., St. Bernard School, Enfield Lodge

Jacqueline G., St. Peter / St. Francis School, Torrington Lodge

Melissa P., Torrington Middle School, Torrington Lodge

Neil G., Vernon Center Middle School, Rockville Lodge

James T., Vernon Center Middle School, Rockville Lodge

Hannah K., St. Rita School, Hamden Lodge

Christina Z., May V. Carrigan Middle School, West Haven Lodge

Student Receives National Drug Awareness Essay Award

This picture was taken at the Connecticut Elks State Association Mid-Year convention where William McCleese, 7th grade student, received the national first place award for the essay he wrote.

William received a proclamation from Governor Rell during a reception at the New Haven Elks Lodge #25. He was also recognized at a special awards night with the New Haven Board of Education.

Left to Right: Debbie Angell, State Drug Awareness Chairman; Charles Cheslock, New Haven Drug Awareness Chairman; William McCleese, National First Place Drug Awareness Essay Award; Nancy Gorban-Brennan, Exalted Ruler New Haven Elks Lodge # 25; William Bryan, Special Assistant Director Drug Awareness Program.

When I was born, my mom had a drug addiction problem. At the age of three, she gave me to my father, but he also had a drug problem. When I was four, a social worker came to pick me up, and sent me to fourteen different foster homes. I only liked one or two of them. I was sent to Washington, Connecticut, a residential school for kids when parents couldn’t take care of them.

A week before my tenth birthday, a lady named Mae Gibson Brown from New Haven came to talk with me. I asked her what does it feel like to be in a family? She said it feels good, and there are lots of people that love you, also you will not be alone. A few weeks later, she took me to live with her. August will be my fourth year living with the Brown family, and it is nice.

I know my parents loved me very much, and it was hard for them to give me up. I don’t ever want to use drugs because drugs took my birth parents from me.

Download the Drug Awareness Booklet Here

Download the Drug Awareness Order Form Here

Download the Camarena Nomination Form Here

Download the Promise Grant Pledge Form (PDF) Here

Download the Drug Awareness Poser & Essay Contest 2007-2008 Rules Here

Download the Elks Parenting Program Document Here

Download the Talk to Your Kids About Drugs Document Here

Poster and Essay Contest:

Now going on. See your district chairman if you have not yet received your Lodge packets. Deadline for local submission: February 14^th! Information is available on this page.

Promise Grants:

Community Investment Program whereas lodges may be reimbursed up to $400 to host an event that builds the character and competence of local youth by addressing a certain promise to youth. Application deadline: March 31. Information is available on this page.

Enrique Camarena:

Thank you to each lodge that submitted a nomination. Lt. Samperi, submitted by Hamden Elks has been selected as this years CT recipient. His packet has been forwarded to Grand Lodge for national consideration.

Spider Man & the Fantastic Four

2008 comic books have been sent to CT schools that registered for them. There is an Elks national essay contest within this publication for children in grades 4-8. Anyone can obtain a free copy on line at www.elks.org/MARVEL.cfm

Deadline for the contest is January 31, 2008! Hurry- time is running out!

Congratulations Fairfield Elks and Gabrielle Leow

Gabrielle’s poster took top honors in the state competition. It was submitted to Grand Lodge for consideration in the next national coloring book. In September the coloring books went to print and included Gabrielle’s poster.

Congratulations New Haven Elks and William McCleese.

William’s essay took top honors in the state and the national competition last year. He will officially receive his national recognition at our state mid year convention this Saturday, January 26^th. Several Elks have requested to meet and greet him. Please stop by the drug awareness booth around 10 AM to meet William and his foster mom. Several lodges have asked about giving him a small gift- please remember he is a 12 year old boy – a gift card is probably best.

Elroy & Trailer

Please reserve Elroy and the trailer for your lodge functions as soon as possible!

Fatal Vision Goggles

Each District Chairman has a pair for your lodge to use for your function.

To order your own set contact www.fatalvison.com Ask for Elks pricing!

Debbie Angell, State Drug Awareness Chairman

2007 Drug Awareness Essay Contest - CT overall winner

Reprinted, with permission, exactly as written.

Drug Abuse is Not Cool

When I was born, my mom had a drug addition problem. At the age of three, she gave me to my father, but he also had a drug problem. When I was four, a social worker came to pick me up, and sent me to fourteen different foster homes. I only liked one or two of them. I was sent to Washington Connecticut, a residential school for kids when parents couldn’t take care of them.

A week before my tenth birthday, a lady named Mae Gibson Brown from New Haven came to talk with me. I asked her what does it feel like to be in a family? She said it feels good, and there are lots of people that love you, also you will not be alone. A few weeks later, she took me to live with her. August will be my fourth year living with the Brown family, and it is nice.

I know my parents loved me very much, and it was hard for them to give me up. I don’t ever want to use drugs because drugs took my birth parents away from me.

By William

Grade 7

Submitted by New Haven Elks Lodge #25


New Haven Elks Lodge honors William as #1 state and #1 national winning essay. William is holding a proclamation from Governor Jodi Rell.		New Haven Board of Ed night honoring William.





	Lodge chairmen- You can be ahead of the game and start contacting your schools and community groups, such as boy and girl scout troops, boy and girl clubs, church youth groups, and before and after school day care centers for example. Additionally, use the preprinted posters in your lodge, as well as the essay information. Pass the information out to children and grand children of your lodge members as they visit, waiting for mom and dad or grandpa and grandma to finish their meeting, or as they wait for dinner to be served, or Santa’s arrival. This program is a huge tool in promoting drug awareness education in YOUR lodge and community. I strongly urge you to participate in it. I know that most of our CT Elks lodges have participated in it over the years and I thank you for doing so. You have probably saved someone’s life!
	TRAILER: It’s HERE and it looks fabulous, better than expected! Although it is NOT really road ready yet as what we have is just the plain trailer. We need to have it lettered, interior shelving constructed and installed, interior painting, and a few other things. If you would like to help out with the needed items listed above, please contact me as soon as possible. The trailer currently is sitting in my driveway crying to go out on the road. Email me or call me. It’s YOUR trailer! I already have several lodges calling to reserve it and I can’t let it go without being road ready. We did take it to the Northwest district soccer shoot in Winsted on Saturday and folks thought we were serving food from it as there was no lettering saying what it was. I am currently looking for someone to letter it so if you know someone, please have them call me, we am taking bids! They can come look at the trailer any time! We had to wait for the trailer arrival to assure proper placement as vinyl ( not interfering with the doors, seams, etc). I am looking to get all bids in this week so that we can move forward in a timely manner.
	Drug awareness pamphlet: I will also add that I will soon be mailing each lodge a new drug awareness pamphlet. It’s hot off the press and out of 9 pictures in the publication, CT has THREE, including the entire front cover, a full page of the young man from Rockville Elks who was named the overall state poster contest winner! As I reported, I forward pictures to Grand Lodge as I receive them. They choose the ones they wish to print, either in the magazine, or other publications. This flyer is awesome. Way to go Rockville!
	Elks magazine: Have you seen the Elks magazine lately? Again CT shines with 14 articles this month alone! Congratulations are in order for Danielson, Bristol, Southington, and Wallingford and Winsted for your drug awareness information printed in the magazine in the last two issues. Keep up the great work!
	Did you take the time to read the caption under the photo of James Hay? He wrote his essay just two weeks after his brother succumbed to drug abuse. The smile of James face shows his commitment to drug education, although still he had too much pain still inside to read his essay at Bristol’s youth banquet. His aunt Liz Thisdale, Southington (Northwest District Chairman) was there the night he received his state award. It was her nephew that died. I am sure that we all know someone who lost their life due to drug abuse. With the help of all of us, maybe we can make a difference, I sure hope so, for our children’s future!
	Reports: To Milford, Stamford, Winsted, Hamden, Wallingford and so many other lodges, thank you for sending in lodges drug awareness activity reports.
	Materials: Many lodges have been waiting patiently for items. Several items have been back ordered for weeks. I just received notification that everything is now available, except the bookmarks. I did receive information that the bookmarks have been improved. As soon as they become available, I will order them for you. Currently I have the following lodges waiting for bookmarks: Middletown, Danbury, Manchester, Hamden, Meriden, Stamford, Enfield, Naugatuck. Everything else has been ordered and your lodge should be receiving the items with in a week or two. Fatal Vision goggles contact your District Chairman to borrow Elks brochures contact state chairman to order (2000 per pack) contact district chairman for emergency needs Drug Awareness Supplies long sleeve denim shirts, t shirts (new from Sterling), basketballs, soccer balls, lollipops, crayons, pens, pencils, Frisbees, event wrist bracelets, water bottles, balloons, etc… see State Chairman to order Please let me, or your district chairman know if you need further assistance.
	If you have not already done so, Click Here to Download the "Drug Awareness Activity / Program Update" form. Each Lodge / Drug Awareness Chairperson is required to fill-out and submit this form. Digital images also acceptable as part of the report and can also be sent in via email.