Talbot Goes Purple announces student video contest for prevention initiative

Contest runs through October, focuses on educational messages

EASTON – Talbot Goes Purple announced this week a student video PSA contest as part of the substance use prevention initiative that starts next month.

The contest runs from September 1 through October 31, 2020 and is open to all Talbot County students. The project involves the creation of a 30-second video based upon one of this year’s educational messages. Talbot County Sheriff Joe Gamble, Lucie Hughes of Tidewater Rotary, and Rodney Spring, of Spring & Associates will judge the entries. The first-place video will air on local cable television during the holiday season. The first-place winner will receive a $500 gift card, second place a $300 gift card and $200 for third place.

“As a business owner in Talbot County, I have seen the devastating effects that substance abuse has had on our families,” Spring said. “At Spring and Associates, we are excited to partner with TGP to involve our youth to help educate other young people about the dangers of substance abuse.”

Spring & Associates has supported TGP since its inception at the purple sponsorship level. This year’s support includes the student PSA project and the virtual screening of the latest Chris Herren film, “The First Day,” which is set for 6:30 p.m. on September 8, 2020.

Along with the video contest, TGP also has a radio PSA project through a continuing and expanded partnership with 96.7 WCEI and 94.3 WINX-FM. Student ambassadors record a provided educational message as a 30-second PSA that will air during September. The project is open to any student in Talbot County and submissions are due Aug. 28. Participating students also may select a TGP lanyard, set of shoelaces or trucker hat, available for socially distanced pick-up in Easton.

For information on the student programs, contact talbotgoespurple@gmail.com.

With schools closed for the foreseeable future, most activities cancelled and many kids stuck at home, substance use prevention remains critically important. While the pandemic poses challenges and prohibits in-person activities, TGP remains committed to finding ways to support our youth in staying drug-free during these unprecedented times.

Talbot Goes Purple (TGP) is an educational and awareness prevention program that empowers our youth and our community to ‘Go Purple’ as a sign of taking a stand against substance abuse. The purpose of the program is to promote the ‘new conversation’ – one that includes prescription drugs, alcohol, marijuana and e-cigarettes. TGP focuses on educating students about the dangers of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs, and works toward preventing kids from beginning to use these substances in the first place.

An initiative from the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office and Tidewater Rotary, in partnership with Talbot County Public Schools, Saints Peter & Paul School and the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, Talbot Goes Purple empowers our youth and our community to ‘Go Purple’ as a sign of taking a stand against substance abuse.

More information about Talbot Goes Purple is available at www.talbotgoespurple.org. Find us on Facebook @TalbotGoesPurple or contact us at talbotgoespurple@gmail.com.

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~ Talbot Goes Purple. A component fund of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization – donations to which are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.