It Takes a Community to Teach Prevention

Checkers Inc. and Richland County Comes Together will be hosting a drug awareness community event. Tuesday, Oct. 27, at the Richland County Schools Assembly to be held at the Sidney High School from 1-3:15 p.m. with special guest speakers Dr. Gary Dale, former State of Montana Medical Examiner and singer-song writer Kat Perkins from "The Voice" presenting "Dream It, Do It" and singing her hit song 'Fearless'.

A free community meal will be served in the high school cafeteria beginning at 4:30 p.m., catered by Judge Greg Mohr and at 6:15 p.m., Perkins will open the evening's events, performing one song before introducing Dr. Dale who will speak to the parents, grandparents, business owners and every household and person who calls Richland County home about the dangers resulting from drug use. At 7:30 p.m., former Voice finalist Perkins will entertain with a 75-minute concert in the high school gymnasium.

After a 2015 Quest Diagnostics study reported that drug use in the workplace had gone from a 4.9% increase in 2014 to a 9.3% increase this year, Checkers rallied the community to take a stand against drug use and Red Ribbon Week was the perfect opportunity. Red Ribbon Week was founded 30 years ago by concerned parents and community members who believed they should play a leadership role in drug awareness and education to support a drug-free youth. The mission of the Red Ribbon Campaign is to present a unified and visible commitment toward the creation of a drug-free America and has been promoting that message in schools across the county since the early 80's.

Residents of Richland County have the unique opportunity to be directly involved in drug prevention by supporting this event. The estimated cost for this is $35,000, the goal being to provide a free concert open to the community, and Checkers along with District II Alcohol & Drug, the Boys and Girls Club, Foundation for Community Care, Sidney High School, Sidney Middle School, Sidney Area Chamber of Commerce, Richland County DUI Task Force, Richland County RSVP, Sidney Herald, The Roundup and Power 95 are calling on businesses, organizations and individuals alike to help make that happen. Any additional funds received will go towards local drug enforcement programs and school awareness and prevention programs.

Gold Level Sponsorship is a donation of $2,500+, Silver Level Sponsorship is a donation of $500- $2,000, and Bronze Level Sponsorship is a donation of $100- $250; all sponsorship levels include media and print recognition and anyone interested can email [email protected] or call Checkers at 406-488-5800. Donations can also be made by texting the word DRUG to 41444 and a message will be sent with a link to complete the donation. Click the link and complete your gift through the secure credit card process. Mailed donations can be sent to Foundation for Community Care, 221 2nd St NW, Sidney, MT, 59270 or Checkers at 223 N. Central Ave. (PO Box 899), Sidney, MT, 59270 with Red Ribbon Week written in the memo space. All donations must be made payable to the Foundation for Community Care and are completely 501c3 tax-deductible and donors will receive a thank you as well as a year-end statement from the Foundation for Community Care.

Volunteers are also needed to make this awesome event happen! Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Richland County RSVP at 406-433-2207. Whether it is a donation of time, energy, or money, Checkers along with Richland County Comes Together appreciate the support because it takes a community to teach prevention.