Alachua County Health Promotion and Wellness Coalition

06/17/2026

The 8th Annual Run for Your Life 5K Color Run is now live!!!

The event will take place on Sunday, Sept 27th at 8:00 am at Depot Park in Gainesville with plenty of prizes, color powder, kids activities, and more! Follow the link below to register today, early bird discount lasts until September 6th.

Run for Your Life 5K 874 SE 4 St, Gainesville, FL 32601, USA - Run for Your Life 5KColor Fun Run Bring your family… - September 27, 2026

04/08/2026

Join us for Family Night on Wednesday, April 22nd at 6:00 pm!

Located at Santa Fe High School, Family Night offers valuable insight for families with presenters such as FL National Guard Counterdrug Program, Pulmonary Medical Specialists, and individuals with lived experience sharing their story.

The event also offers an included meal, raffle prizes, interactive games, community fair, and free parent toolkits!

Let us know you're coming with the link below:

https://forms.gle/17vQG6nFFfn3SWLH8

04/08/2026

The Spring DEA Medication Take Back Day is back!!

The HPW Coalition is hosting two sites in Alachua County: Gainesville (Senior Rec Center) and Alachua (CVS Pharmacy). This event is completely free, safe, and anonymous.

Drop off of your old, unused or expired medications to be disposed of by the DEA on Saturday, April 25th from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm!

03/19/2026

Are you a middle or high school student in Alachua County, FL? Enter our $50 Visa Gift Card raffle giveaway! By participating in our NIDA Drug and Alcohol Facts Week Challenge, you're automatically entered into the giveaway.

Use the QR code or link below to enter today, deadline is March 29th!

https://forms.gle/Z8CjyWjnE3HpvXHW6

Complete this ten question survey by 11:59 pm on Sunday, March 29th to enter our $50 Visa gift card raffle! You don't have to get all the questions right, by completing this activity you're entered into the raffle. Winner is announced on Wednesday, April 1st! Eligibility: Middle and High School stud...

10/22/2025

✨ Red Ribbon Week is almost here! ✨

All 3rd - 5th grade students in Alachua County are eligible to enter our art contest with a $25 Visa Gift Card prize!! 🎨 Create an art piece to show your commitment to a healthy, drug-free lifestyle for Red Ribbon Week.

Follow the link to learn more and enter:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdbIHm7umEPU3hYvFzuCSHcZ_1BGEvcQ_mLq9u3oHIztwYK1Q/viewform?usp=dialog

10/15/2025

🌟 October is Substance Use Prevention Month! 🌟

Did you know that early prevention and education can make a huge difference in a child’s life? Red Ribbon Week (10/23–10/31) is a time to show our commitment to healthy, drug-free communities.

Encourage your kids and community to get involved!

1. 🎨 Fall Youth Challenge: Elementary students, create an art piece celebrating Red Ribbon Week and a healthy, drug-free lifestyle! Submit by 10/31 for a chance to be featured and win fun prizes!
https://forms.gle/Ur4e4r5MXYP4hQZM7

2. Calling all parents! Do you want to prepare for that important discussion about substance use? Visit SAMHSA's "Talk, They Hear You" program to receive tips, practice scenarios, and gain confidence!
https://www.samhsa.gov/substance-use/prevention/talk-they-hear-you

10/15/2025

Do you have some creative kids ready for a challenge? For Red Ribbon Week, HPW is hosting an art contest for 3rd - 5th grade students in Alachua County with a $25 Visa Gift Card prize! Any art medium is accepted as long as you address the theme: "my drug free life" and what that means to you.

Visit our contest page to learn more!
https://forms.gle/yhRf8hViSEQnBZu1A

Deadline: Friday, Oct 31st @ 11:59 pm

10/07/2025

The Fall DEA Drug Take Back Day is back!!

The HPW Coalition is hosting two sites in Alachua County: Gainesville (Senior Rec Center) and Alachua (CVS Pharmacy). This event is completely free, safe, and anonymous. Drop off of your old, unused or expired medications to be disposed of by the DEA on Saturday, October 25th from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm!

10/05/2025

The 7th Annual 5K Color Run was a success! We're so grateful to all of our community partners, volunteers, and attendees who made our annual fundraiser such an exciting event. For the first time, we had Alberta & Alberta at our event, free HealthStreet screenings, and a Children's Trust sponsored Kids Activity Area!

Thank you to everyone who came out to support our mission, without the contributions of the community and volunteers - it just isn't possible.

We look forward to hosting the 5K Color Run again in September, 2026 -- see you there!

09/10/2025

Looking for a fun, family-friendly weekend event this September? Join us on Sunday, September 28th at 8:00 am at Depot Park for a color run (or walk) with a cause!

Bring your family and friends (including the furry ones) to help us fundraise for our non-profit mission of preventing substance use and raising awareness, especially among youth.

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What's Included at the 5K Color Run?

- Take a picture with UF's Albert and Alberta!
- Breakfast is free, there will also be a narcan demonstration hosted by UF Health Florida Recovery Center and an F45 Warm-Up Session
- Visit our Community Fair with local programs, and even receive a free health screening from UF HealthStreet
- Stop by the kid's activity area (ex/ co****le, jenga, chalk, etc) before hitting the track with six color stations!
- Enter to win one of our Raffle Prizes: Dave and Busters gift basket, Texas Roadhouse gift basket, Longhorn Steakhouse gift card, etc.
- And so much more!

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Visit the link below to save your spot today:

https://raceroster.com/events/2025/104880/run-for-your-life-5k

We look forward to seeing you there!