Mini-Grants and Tobacco Free Activity Ideas

Mini-Grants will be awarded to groups that conduct an approved activity during one of the annual campaigns to EDUCATE , PREVENT, or HELP PEOPLE QUIT the use of tobacco and to avoid tobacco smoke.

Red Ribbon Week - Annually in October 

Tobacco is a drug, too! Cigarettes and other forms of tobacco contain nicotine, an addictive drug.  Nicotine is as addictive as heroin and cocaine.  Beat the nicotine addiction and educate others!

Great American Smokeout - Annually in November

• A time to think about quitting tobacco
• A time to get information on how to quit
  
• A time to try quitting for 1 day

Through with Chew - Annually in February

Spit tobacco is not a safe alternative.  Through With Chew Week is designed to raise awareness of the dangers of spit tobacco, prevent people from starting to use, and encourage users to quit. 

Kick Butts Day - Annually in March

STAND OUT - SPEAK UP - SEIZE CONTROL:  A nationwide initiative that makes kids leaders in the effort to stop youth tobacco use.

World No Tobacco Day - Annually on May 31

An essay contest in observance of World No Tobacco Day celebrated annually on May 31 by the World Health Organization (WHO.)  The contest is open to all students in 6th, 7th and 8th grades who reside or attend school in Westmoreland County.  Entry forms will be distributed to all Westmoreland County schools in March and are available upon request by contacting Esther Ulery at 724-837-1402 or e-mail: ecu1@psu.edu

How To Apply For A Mini-Grant:

1. Request a mini-grant application by contacting Esther Ulery, at 724-837-1402 or e-mail ecu1@psu.edu.   Project must be registered prior to the event.
   
2. Include the following information:
   

• School, Club or Organization Name

• Contact Person Name, Address, Telephone and E-mail
  

• Date(s) of project

• Description of proposed tobacco prevention activity
  

• Number of youth or individuals involved in the project

• Number of people you intend to reach with the project

   3.  All applications will be reviewed and groups will be notified of eligibility. 

   4.  When the project is completed, submit a final report including pictures, media
        articles that helped to promote the project, comments and 
        feedback on the success of the activity.

Tobacco-Free Activity Ideas:

Here is a partial list of some of the great tobacco free activities that groups have sponsored.  For additional information and ideas, contact Esther Ulery at 724-837-1402 or e-mail: ecu1@psu.edu

• Host a tobacco-free carnival

• Teach a tobacco lesson to younger students

• Daily announcements

• Cigarette Butt Clean-up

• Knock-Out Tobacco Ads

• What's Really in a Cigarette?

• Tobacco's Deadly Toll

• Pledge to be Tobacco Free Wall

• Anti-Tobacco Track Meet

• Tobacco Free Graffiti Wall

• Anti-tobacco commercial

• Return to Sender Magazine Campaign

• Memorial Wall to Remember Loved Ones That Died From Tobacco

• Legislator Visits

• Young Lungs at Play - Tobacco Free Playgrounds

• Spit Tobacco Ingredient Display