2026 Just Say No/Red Ribbon Week

The Bartow Rotary Club along with the City of Bartow, the Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Fort Meade are making plans to bring back our "JUST SAY NO" Week, October 26-30, 2026. This special week will coincide with the Nationwide Red Ribbon Week. 

This is a community-based public education effort to support and encourage young people to "SAY NO TO DRUGS"! Our area 5th grade students from Alturas Elementary, Bartow Elementary Academy, Floral Avenue Elementary, Highland City Elementary, Lewis Anna Woodbury Elementary, Spessard Holland Elementary, and Stephens Elementary will receive a Red Ribbon/Just Say No T-shirt. 

The 5th grade students are encouraged to participate in an essay and poster contest. In addition, each school is encouraged to enter a Red Ribbon/Just Say No banner and their school will receive a special reward for their participation in this activity. 

This special week will be highlighted with a Rally for the 5th grade students, their parents, teachers, and administrators at the Bartow Civic Center on Thursday, November 5, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. 

All contest winners will be recognized, and cash prizes will be awarded. In addition, a $500 scholarship will be given to the 1st place winner of the essay contest and the 1st place winner of the poster contest. This scholarship will be administered through the Polk Education Foundation, to the school of the student's choice, upon their high school graduation. 

We welcome your involvement. Donations are needed to fund all these activities.