The academic year is quickly coming to a close, meaning graduation and summer fun is not far off! Communication between students, parents, and administrators can decrease the likelihood of hazardous situations during this celebratory time of year. MADD and Drug Free Action Alliance both provide great tools to help parents and communities talk with kids and teens about alcohol and other substances. The Gordie Center offers a free printable Safer Drinking Guidelines brochure as well as information on the signs of alcohol overdose and how to help a friend in distress. Help kick off summer safely by educating those around you and planning now for graduation safety!

The Gordie Center just wrapped up our GivingToHoosDay campaign as well as our Spring Break Safety Contest--read on to learn more about the campaign and our contest winner!
Gordie Center Ideas and Updates
Spring Break Safety Contest Winner!
Agnes Scott College Infographic
 
Congratulations to Agnes Scott College for their successful and fun Spring Break Safety campaign! Out of all the contest entries we received, we chose Agnes Scott because of their strong program evaluation and positive messaging. Their week-long programming included a "Bartender School" alcohol education program that was developed and facilitated by student-athletes. Bartender School attendees received a pre- and post-event survey which showed a 95% improvement in knowledge after attending the program! Agnes Scott students also created a fun infographic with Safe Spring Break Tips, ran a "Be a Buddy" bystander intervention campaign, and had a safety pledge as part of their week--and they did it all with a budget of under $500! For their winning effort, Agnes Scott College will receive a Gordie Center Prize Pack valued at $130, filled with Gordie Center educational products that can complement their safety and prevention efforts.


Southern Illinois University's Positive Post-It Messaging
 
We also want to give a shout-out to Southern Illinois University and the University of Virginia's College at Wise for their safety campaigns! SIU's campaign reached over 2,250 students through a social marketing campaign with safety messages, a positive post-it display, and the distribution of Safe Spring Break kits (including a koozie with alcohol safety tips, condoms, toothpaste, campus designated driver information, and other safety items).

UVA-Wise Students Tabling
 
UVA-Wise students from 2 student groups partnered with their community by including the sheriff's office, health department, and the VA ABC in their event. All of the campaigns we've highlighted had budgets under $500, and would be easy to implement on any campus! Keep up the good work!

Thank you for all your entries into the contest--we really enjoyed learning more about what schools are doing nationwide!
Thank You for GivingToHoosDay!

The Gordie Center participated in University of Virginia's 2nd annual 24-hour giving day, GivingToHoosDay, on April 12th. Thanks to  62 donors and a matching challenge of $15,000, we raised $28,790 to support Gordie Center programs in one day! The generosity of our donors continually amazes us--donors gave in honor of their friends, in memory of loved ones, and in support of our UVA student groups ADAPT and Hoos in Recovery. A number of donors also included gifts of HAZE to a school of their choice as part of their donation, helping to spread Gordie's lifesaving message to students nationwide. The funds raised through this campaign are already at work in our initiatives, and we will continue to update you on how your support impacts the students we serve. Donations are critical to the work that we do, so a huge thank you to all who donated--we appreciate you!

Did you miss GivingToHoosDay? Never fear! We are thrilled to have your support all year long--visit our giving page to donate today!
Until next month,
 
Susie Bruce,  Director, Gordie Center for Substance Abuse Prevention
Jill Maurer, National Development & Program Coordinator

 
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