Crawford County youth to hold second annual substance free rally

MARION, OHIO – Wednesday, September 20, 2023 – Marion-Crawford Prevention Programs (MCPP) announced today that the Crawford County students will host their second annual “Crawford Drug Free Youth Rally.” The student-driven rally will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Thursday, September 21 at Schines Art Park in Bucyrus and feature a disc jockey, games, Mark’s Homemade Ice Cream provided by Dzugan Real Estate Services and The Hub, lunch provided by BrightView, as well as guest stakeholders, including Mayor Jeff Reser, Crawford County Commissioners, and local businesses recognizing the majority of students who choose to be substance-free.

Laura Busler, Associate Director with Marion-Crawford Prevention Programs, shared insight on the second rally: “We are excited this year to have even more youth participating than last year, and the students will be more engaged in the event, speaking this year about why they choose to be substance-free and the coping mechanisms they use regularly.”

Youth from all Crawford County school districts are slated to attend, and the number of students is anticipated to exceed 200, up from 150 students last year. The rally is designed to highlight the fact that most students are substance-free and promote a positive message to the community and business community who will hire these future employees and the next generation of leaders. Support for the second rally includes Altrusa, Crawford County Prevention Coalition, Crawford Partnership, Galion-Crestline Chamber of Commerce, and Good Hope Lutheran Church.

“I applaud our students for choosing the path of substance-free living. As we celebrate these bright minds, we are not only nurturing future leaders but also building our future workforce,” shared President of the Crawford County Commissioners, Tim Ley. “By making this choice, you’re not only respecting your potential but empowering our communities.”

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About the Marion-Crawford Prevention Programs

Marion-Crawford Prevention Programs was established as a 501(c)(3) and State Certified Prevention Agency in 2010, with support and funding from the Crawford-Marion Board of Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health (ADAMH) Services.

Launched nearly 20 years ago, the board has established a firm commitment to prevention through programs and services for youth and community members. The agency often partners with ADAMH and utilizes federal and state grants to fund the programs and staff members. They ultimately provide opportunities to empower youth to become influential leaders in promoting positive lifestyle choices among their peers and their schools and communities.

About the Crawford Partnership

Started in 2006, the Crawford Partnership for Education and Economic Development is a private, non-profit corporation dedicated to driving collaborative economic, community and workforce development in Bucyrus, Galion, Crestline, New Washington, and all of Crawford County, Ohio. Twice in the last four years, the community has been nationally ranked in the top 20% for economic development and is pursuing an aggressive, strategic, and comprehensive agenda to become a community of choice for business and residents. To learn more about the Crawford Partnership, please visit us at crawfordpartnership.org

Disclaimer: While the Crawford Partnership issues press releases on economic, community, and workforce development projects, resources, assets, advantages, and activities in Crawford County, Ohio, to strengthen the community’s image and to promote additional development, publication of such announcements does not imply direct assistance from The Partnership unless specified.