Events
The Rusty Keeble Foundation’s work is constantly expanding to take on new challenges, initiatives and events in additional regions of the world. But as our programs grow, so does the understanding of just how much work there is to do. We can’t do it alone – we need your support. We need volunteers to assist and/or participate in local events as well as taking on the task of coordinating your own GANGFREE Project event. See the Event Suggestions section of this page. It is recommended that you invite your local media to advertise and cover all events as well as personally document each event through photography and/or video and share the experience with the Rusty Keeble Foundation so it can be promoted world-wide. See the GANGFREE Project Network section of this website for procedures to submit photos and videos to the Foundation.
Upcoming Events
Event Suggestions
School Event Suggestions
Upcoming Events
GANGFREE MONTH 2012
The Rusty Keeble Foundation hopes to educate millions around the world both young and old about the consequence of gang violence.
The GANGFREE Project has many components but no component is more important than establishing the month of November as GANGFREE Month.
The purpose of GANGFREE Month is to bring attention and a sound understanding of the international realities of the various negative causes and effects this epidemic of gang violence has on the future of our society. Additionally, we will recognize and show gratitude to the professionals that combat this threat every day as well as the programs and services that support them. Download the GANGFREE Month Tool Kit to get additional information on GANGFREE Month as well as what you can do to help.
GANGFREE MONTH TOOL KIT
We offer the following list of event suggestions to help with your planning. We encourage you to adapt events and activities to your community’s needs. When you schedule your GANGFREE event(s), be sure to notify the Rusty Keeble Foundation so they can be added to the event calendar. This allows other organizations to attend local events and also generates ideas. If you can think of additional events that can be added to this list, please feel free to send them in to the Foundation.
Operation GANGFREE (Law Enforcement Only)
There are many things that criminal justice professionals can do to be a part of GANGFREE Month but none is more vital to the mission of the GANGFREE Project than that of developing a year-round “zero tolerance” gang policy and then making a lasting statement by planning an Operation GANGFREE (name of your city/county/region/state)!
Just a few examples could be “Operation GANGFREE Orlando” or “Operation GANGFREE Orange County” or “Operation GANGFREE Central Florida” or Operation GANGFREE Florida.”
The obvious objective of these operations is to make gang members and the community aware that you have a zero tolerance policy against gangs and gang violence and you will make it as uncomfortable as legally possible if they choose to be a gang member in your area. Every gang member who is currently wanted and/or breaks the law (no matter how petty the crime) will be arrested. Imagine the positive impact these operations will have on the community and the negative impact they will have on the gang’s operation.
It is recommended that those working the operation wear at minimum the GANGFREE Awareness Wristband and Orange Disposable Double Cuffs can also be used to make that final “lasting” statement to those gang members arrested that you have declared your community GANGFREE!
Awareness Display
Set up a table in a busy central location in your community. Hang orange decorations on the table and distribute GANGFREE Project products and information on gang awareness. Be sure to distribute tips sheets on how individuals can recognize gang activity. Hand out candy or other give-a-ways to attract visitors to your table. Be sure to obtain approval from your city/county (if applicable) to set up and staff the display.
Cuts for Kids
You can coordinate with a local hair salon to designate a day (possibly World G-Day) to offer haircuts to kids under the age of 16 for a modest donation to the GANGFREE Project. You can compliment that by encouraging the salon to donate all or a portion of the day’s profits to the GANGFREE Project as well. Hang orange decorations on the table and distribute GANGFREE Project products and information on gang awareness.
Speak Out
This type of event creates a safe space for victims/survivors of gang violence to “speak out” about their experience, recovery and healing. Choose a fairly quiet location for your event and ensure that local violence counselors are on hand to provide assistance to speakers and/or audience members in need. One option is to have two podiums and microphones set up, one for audience participants that are willing to tell their stories recorded by local or campus media, and one for speakers who do not want press coverage.
Letter-Writing Campaign
Some organizations can take part in political advocacy during GANGFREE Month writing letters to local, state, territory, tribal, national or other government officials about policies related to gang violence that affect your community.
Run/Walk
Many social and health causes have started annual walk or run events to raise money and awareness about their issue. If your organization has the resources to plan and hold a walk for gang awareness and prevention, this is a GREAT option. If you have limited time and resources, consider reaching out to other organizations in your area that are holding walks and runs during the month of November and form a team to represent the GANGFREE Project and the anti-gang violence movement. Have matching orange GANGFREE t-shirts on and make sure to bring materials on gang violence to distribute to other participants.
GANGFREE PROJECT RUN/WALK TOOL KIT
GANGFREE PROJECT SCHOOL JOG/WALK TOOL KIT
World G-Day
World GANGFREE Project Day (G-Day) is a global movement to stop gang violence. World G-Day promotes creative events to increase awareness, raise money, and revitalize the spirit of existing anti-gang violence organizations. World G-Day generates broader attention for the fight to stop gang violence. Through World G-Day campaigns; local volunteers, communities, organizations, schools and college students can produce annual GANGFREE Videos to raise awareness and funds for the GANGFREE Project to be used in their own communities. World G-Day events often occur during the month of November, but can also take place throughout the calendar year.
WORLD G-DAY SCHOOL TOOL KIT
“Breakfast With” Event
Invite local legislators who have sponsored or support legislation that addresses gang violence to talk about contemporary trends in anti-gang violence law. You can also invite local business leaders, law enforcement agents, prosecutors and other groups that would be impacted by pending or recently passed legislation. Make sure that your organization’s services are highlighted during the presentation. If possible, have speakers and presenters wear stickers, pins, or t-shirts advertising the GANGFREE Project as well as your organization/community.
Cup of Prevention
Ask local coffee shops, book stores, and other small restaurants to donate a percentage of their coffee and tea sales to the GANGFREE Project during the month of November.
Faith-Based Community Challenge
Challenge area faith communities to address gang violence during the month of November through services, prayer sessions, articles in newsletters, and donations to the GANGFREE Project. Remember to ask permission to have gang awareness information on display throughout the month of November.
Human Ribbon
An event that is becoming more and more common is that of building a human ribbon to raise money and awareness about a specific issue. If your organization has the resources to plan and hold a human ribbon event, this is an EXCELLENT option. The idea is to gather a large group of people and while wearing the color orange such as the orange GANGFREE t-shirt or an orange poncho - you then place everyone together in the shape of the GANGFREE Awareness Ribbon. The larger the ribbon the more of a visual impact it will have on your community. The basics for planning is to outline the ribbon on the ground and have everyone stand inside the ribbons outline thus creating the “aerial” visual of a GANGFREE Project Awareness Ribbon. You should try to take an aerial photo such as from the top of a building, helicopter (local news and police departments may offer this) or from a fire truck’s bucket ladder. This will give the maximum effect of what your ribbon looks like from above.
Partner with a Local Restaurant
There is a range of ways you can incorporate a local restaurant into your GANGFREE Project activities. Find a local restaurant that will provide an organizational discount and then host a corporate/legislative breakfast to (re) introduce your agency/organization and or your individual efforts to the community. Another possibility is to ask for a small percentage of the profits on G-Day as a charitable donation. Or, ask if you may put brochures or the orange GANGFREE Project awareness ribbon pins and/or wristbands near the cash register. Consider asking restaurants to use the GANGFREE Project napkins, available through the GANGFREE Project Store, during the month of November or on World G-Day. Finally, it is always good to ask if you may hang awareness posters in a public area of the restaurant.
Poetry Slam
Poetry Slams have become increasingly popular since they began in the 1980’s. Poetry Slams are events where poets perform their work and are judged on their writing and performance, encouraging poets to focus on what they’re saying and why they are saying it. GANGFREE Project Poet Slams are open to anyone who is willing to participate. These events can be large or small; however we recommend that you begin planning this event four to five months prior to the event date. You may partner with other organizations and/or local colleges to locate a venue for the event. A University English and/or Performing Arts Department as well as local businesses may be interested in co-sponsoring the event. Additionally, invite your local media to advertise and cover the event. Finally, you may wish to partner with your local radio stations for DJs, judges, and hosts.
Restroom Campaign
Restrooms are everywhere! Put flyers up on the back of stall doors in the restrooms of college campuses, bars, businesses, agencies, organizations, gas stations, etc and anywhere there is a bathroom. Remember to ask permission before posting flyers. Not only is this an ideal location to reach a lot of people. This is also the ideal location to reach gang members as many love to tag their gang graffiti in public restrooms to show this restaurant is in “their” turf. Let’s show them that it’s not their turf – this is our turf!
Shine the Light on Gang Violence
The concept of Shine the Light on Gang Violence can be as simple as coordinating a community event such as a candlelight vigil at dusk on World G-Day for which you designate a time and location for the community to gather. Remember to disseminate flyers with the event information, including location and time, before the date in order to increase community participation. Additionally, invite your local media to advertise and cover the event.
Shop to End Gang Violence
This event can be held on World G-Day and integrated into any community, small or large, with strategic marketing and community relations. Ask businesses, as a charitable donation, if a small percentage of the profits from items that are “Orange” in color to go to the GANGFREE Project. Or, ask if you may put brochures or orange GANGFREE Project awareness ribbon pins and wristbands near the cash register. We recommend that you begin planning this event four to five months prior to the event date so that you can promote those businesses participating. Additionally, invite your local media to advertise and cover the event.
GANGFREE Community (GFC)
GANGFREE Community (GFC) is one of the GANGFREE Project’s premier events in response to the unacceptable proliferation of gangs and gang violence around the world. We encourage local communities around the world to organize peaceful GFC marches and rallies to unify individuals to stand against gang violence in their communities.
GFC can be a candlelight vigil, a rally, a survivor speak-out, and a large-scale public march. You can incorporate the arts into your event with banner-making contests, musical performances, poetry, and exhibits. Be sure to check with your local law enforcement officials regarding legal status of your event and safety issues. Additionally, invite your local media to advertise and cover the event.
Orange Ribbon Campaign
Tie an orange ribbon to your car, your clothing, etc. Set up baskets with orange ribbons on pin cards at businesses, doctors’ offices, hospitals, agencies, schools and colleges. Wrap big orange ribbons around trees or request permission to tie orange ribbons to the antennae of police cars, ambulances, and fire rescue vehicles in your county. This is an opportunity to get to know those in public safety and for them to become more involved with the GANGFREE Project. This could also be a great photo opportunity for the local media. Ask your local craft store to donate orange ribbon to your agency/organization or possibly a non-profit discount. Wherever you place the ribbons, be sure to have information on the significance of the ribbon as part of gang awareness and prevention efforts.
Anti-Gang Poster Contest
Have young people ages 9-18 (schools, programs, clubs, jails, prisons, detention centers, etc.); participate in an anti-gang poster project as part of GANGFREE Month to express their feelings and thoughts about the dangers of gang membership and gang violence and judge the submittals for a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winner. We recommend issuing a certificate and a savings bond to those who placed in the contest. You can request that local businesses sponsor the contest to cover the expense of the savings bond. If a savings bond option is not available, students may still participate just to be a part of the GANGFREE Project. We recommend that you begin planning this event several months prior to the month of November so that you can promote those businesses participating and be prepared to judge the event on World G-Day. Additionally, invite your local media to advertise and cover the judging.
We also request that all the submitted posters be mailed to the Rusty Keeble Foundation by November 7th, as we will be holding a judging of all the winners of the local contests to identify the overall winner of the World GANGFREE Project Poster Contest.
Tree and Flower Planting
Tree and flower planting ceremonies during GANGFREE Month serve a dual purpose. They give recognition to those who have been victims of gang violence in our communities and counteract pollution in the environment. These events provide the community an opportunity to honor a relative, friend, or other victim and/or survivor with the new life of a tree or plant. A planting ceremony also provides an excellent opportunity for you to partner with local home improvement businesses and greenhouses. You may consider asking these companies to donate trees or flowers to plant during your event. Additionally, it supports the efforts of being a responsible citizen of the world and shows our young people the importance of doing their part in taking care of our planet.
We encourage you to begin planning at least three months prior to the event date. These events may take place in local parks, on college campuses, or in communities. You may need to contact local officials or campus administrators to find out what their procedure is for approving such events in your area. Finally, inviting public officials and knowledgeable speakers may bring more media attention to your event.
School Event Suggestions
We offer the following list of school event suggestions to help with your school in planning for GANGFREE World Month and/or World G-Day. We encourage you to adapt events and activities to your school’s needs. When you schedule your GANGFREE event(s), be sure to notify the Rusty Keeble Foundation so they can be added to the event calendar. This allows other schools to see what you are doing and also to generate ideas. If you can think of additional events that can be added to this list, please feel free to send them in to the Foundation.
GANGFREE MONTH SCHOOL TOOL KIT
Encourage your school/class to organize a Dress Orange Day.
Ask everyone at your school to come in wearing at least one orange article of clothing, and ask them to bring in a small donation in exchange. Why stop at clothing? You can even encourage orange face painting or a sponsored human orange ribbon.
Take an Orange Ribbon Collection Box
If you are willing to make Orange Ribbons available to the rest of the school in return for a small donation to the GANGFREE Project, we will send you a collection box, poster, ribbons and wristbands free of charge. You can then organize a collection around the classrooms or in assembly. Some schools like to organize an event in conjunction with taking a collection box such as a rock concert, fashion show and charge people an entrance fee. It’s an excuse to have fun and make a difference at the same time!
Organize a World G-Day Orange Chain
How many people can you get to hold hands and form a human orange chain? You could ask friends and family to sponsor you and your friends to create a chain of say 100, 200, 1000+ people around your school and/or its grounds to form a chain of solidarity (a barrier) as a symbol to show your commitment to keeping gangs out of your school – A GANGFREE School!
Jog/Walk
If your school has the resources to plan and hold a walk for gang awareness and prevention, this is a GREAT option.
GANGFREE PROJECT SCHOOL JOG/WALK TOOL KIT
Attend a World G-Day Event
As a newly established initiative, we are encouraging communities, schools, jails and prisons around the world to hold GANGFREE Project events no matter how small or large. If you do not want to organize your own World G-Day event, why not go to someone else’s. Events are listed on the GANGFREE Project website: www.rustykeeblefoundation.org.
Wear an Orange Ribbon
Encourage your Students to do the same. Just by making gang awareness visible, you are both showing your support and encouraging people to find out the facts about gang violence. Put up some posters in your school. If you are fundraising for the GANGFREE Project, we can give you some materials for free. Just contact us at (321) 323-4637.
Get Support from Local Business
See if your local businesses will match the amount of money raised by students. |
