Masonic Youth celebrate Red Ribbon Week

The Gun Barrel City Masonic Youth Rainbow Girls celebrated Red Ribbon Week by signing pledges to stay drug-free on Saturday, October 21. The theme for Red Ribbon Week this year is “Your future is key, so stay drug free” and pledges that were signed by the girls and their Advisory Board members read:

“I support Red Ribbon Week. I pledge to grow up safe, healthy & drug free by understanding the dangers of drug use and abuse, respecting myself and being drug free, spreading the word to family and friends about the importance of being healthy and drug free.”

In the words of Iris Yu, the Ohio student who created this year’s theme, “Drugs not only affect your brain, but your future as well, You don’t get a second future. It’s why you do a lot of the things you do. . . in hopes of having a good future!”

It is our hope that others will join us in the pledge to stay drug free. After the meeting, refreshments were served among Halloween decorations of ghosts, pumpkins, and creepy crawly things!

The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls is a service-oriented, leadership organization for girls between the ages of 11 and 20. Rainbow Girls participate in a wide array of activities, including leadership training, service projects, competitions, and annual retreats. Their younger group, the Pledges, have activities for girls ages 7 to 10. Please contact Mrs. Donna Dean at 903-345-2001 or Mrs. Tonya Currey at 903-920-5608 for more information about the Rainbow Girls or visit www.txiorg.org. The Gun Barrel City Rainbow Girls and Pledges are proudly sponsored by the Cedar Creek Lake Masonic Lodge and the Gun Barrel City Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star on Legendary Lane in Gun Barrel City.

Pictured are, from left, Rosalie Randall, Laura Walters, Steve Herrick, John Irvin, Tara Trimmins, and Cheryl Nix. (Courtesy photo)