The annual Cortland Pumpkinfest takes place this coming weekend on October 2 and 3 in Court House Park.

This community-wide celebration of fall also kicks off the Cortland Area Communities That Care Red Ribbon Plant the County Red campaign.  CACTC is pleased to welcome back Little York Plantation, owned by Jackie and Dick Crane, as our business ally in this effort.  We are working together to help keep local young people drug free. Our collaboration can work for you.

You can get 2 free red tulip bulbs by stopping by the CACTC Pumpkinfest booth on either Saturday or Sunday.  All you need is a Little York/CACTC coupon.

You can find one in the Cortland Standard for the dates of September 24 and 27.  Another source is in the current CACTC newsletter.  Go to the website, at www.cortlandareactc.org and look at the scrolling What’s New Box to find a downloadable version.

In exchange for your coupon, you will receive 2 free red tulip bulbs ready for planting at  the CACTC Pumpkinfest booth.  In the bag with your bulbs will be another coupon entitling you to 25% off on tulip bulb purchases made by October 24 at Little York Plantation.

Red Ribbon celebration ideas for businesses, community members and schools will be available, too.

How will planting red tulip bulbs convince local young people that living drug-free is a key to a healthy, productive life?  By itself, planting will do nothing. However, prevention science has established that family and community standards matter greatly to young people, even if they don’t always appear to be listening carefully.

So, don’t just plant bulbs. Use the occasion to talk about substance abuse with the young men and women you care about. Then, when the tall, elegant red tulips bloom next spring, have more conversations with these same young people just in time for prom and graduation party season festivities.

CACTC and Little York Plantation are offering bulbs to all area public schools. County private schools and community youth groups are also welcome to participate.

To find out how, contact the CACTC Project Coordinator Office at Catholic Charities of Cortland County by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by phone at 756-5992 ext 25. Red Ribbon activities will benefit the youth who participate.

Such efforts also can be a good source of positive publicity.

What else can an individual do to promote positive youth development and Red Ribbon Week 2010?  Individuals can wear red ribbons, hang them prominently in businesses and homes, or devise other creative ways to take a stand for youth and against substance abuse.

Adults can also band together and take a stand by signing the Safe Host pledge available at the CACTC Pumpkinfest booth.  By signing the pledge, you promise to provide adult supervision for children in your home.  You indicate you won’t allow those under 21 to consume alcohol.  You also agree to encourage calls from other parents/guardians any time your child is hosting a party.

The Coalition works to keep our Cortland County Youth safe.  So, please join us and become Involved, Informed and Invested in the children and families of Cortland County.

Jo Ann Wickman is Chair of PR.Com, CACTC’s public relations and publicity workgroup.