Students Varah Potter, Andrew Bryant, Katie Snyder, George Sebe, Caitlyn Brown, Seth Hersey, and Kayla Harris

Red Ribbon Week kicked off on Tuesday promoting an ideal way for communities to unite and take a visible stand against drugs. As part of this observance, The Education Center School in Fondren is participating in the “Plant the Promise” campaign in conjunction with Saturday’s “Make A Difference Day.” The day is officially touted as America’s largest day to volunteer. Ed Center students, faculty and alumni will be planting red tulip bulbs in the Fondren neighborhood. When the tulips bloom in March/April, they will serve as a reminder to the school, students, parents, and community that “the best me is drug free!”

School counselor Michele Ogburn says the students are excited to have a chance to participate in the project during their homecoming week (which will be celebrated with a reception today from 3pm to 6pm and capped off by tomorrow’s activities.)

You can make a difference, too. Join the Ed Center at 4080 Old Canton Road on Saturday, October 27, from 8:30 a.m. to noon to help plant and decorate pots of tulips. These will be distributed to Fondren area businesses, schools, and churches. A bed of tulips will also be planted on campus and at the Yana Club on Hartfield Street.

Red Ribbon Week, sponsored by the National Family Partnership, is now the oldest and largest drug prevention program in the nation reaching millions of young people and their families. Make A Difference Day is sponsored annually by USA WEEKEND Magazine and its 800 carrier newspapers.