FREEPORT — Learn about some upcoming activities and some recent items of interest from FHN.
Project Sticker Shock Keeps Minors, Adults in Check
In conjunction with April Alcohol Awareness Month, Project Sticker Shock took place recently in stores selling or serving alcohol in the City of Freeport. Project Sticker Shock is an awareness initiative to change adult attitudes about selling and providing alcohol to minors in Freeport.
Project Sticker Shock materials were created by the Illinois Liquor Control Commission’s Don’t Be Sorry campaign to remind the general public of the consequences of underage drinking during Alcohol Awareness Month.
Local youth are part of a movement of youth statewide working with participating stores to spread “Sticker Shock” waves across Illinois in an effort to reach adults who might be tempted to buy alcohol for youth under 21 who can’t buy it legally themselves.
The florescent orange-and-black stickers and decals stand out on multi-packs of alcohol and glass refrigerator doors for all to see, and provide a strong reminder: Providing Alcohol to Minors is Illegal, Unhealthy & Unacceptable.
“Adults need to set a better example for kids,” said Sharon Mockridge, community educator for FHN Family Counseling Center and coordinator of this campaign. “When adults supply alcohol to youth, it sends youth a mixed message. Underage drinking is not a teen problem, but a community problem. Adults, youth, law enforcement and retail stores all need to be part of the solution.”
“A strong community message is sent when local businesses take responsibility for speaking out against underage drinking,” said Freeport Police Chief Jerry Whitmore. “Allowing minors to consume alcohol in your home, or any place under your control, carries the same penalties under the law as furnishing, even if you don’t supply the alcohol,” he reminds parents. “Prom and graduation is a particularly high-risk time of year, but we don’t want people to forget that providing alcohol to minors, or allowing them to drink in a place under your control, is against the law all year round.”
We applaud participating stores who are working together to create a safer, healthier lifestyle by combating the problem of underage drinking. The liquor license holders participating were: Amigo’s; CUB Foods; Horizon’s; Mort’s; MVP’s; PJ’s Stephenson Street Station; Royal Liquor; Sullivan’s; Tony’s; Walgreens – S. West; Walgreen’s – W. Galena; Walnut Hill – Galena; and Walnut Hill – Walnut Street.
Alcohol has been identified as the No. 1 drug of choice among Illinois youth, and according to local youth, one of the easiest substances to obtain. The Sticker Shock campaign hopes to cause adults to think twice before making it any easier for youth to access alcohol.
For more information about the Sticker Shock campaign, contact Sharon Mockridge at 815-599-7344.
Upcoming Events @ FHN
Here are some upcoming events through FHN:
April 26
Get Fit INFINITE Screening
4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
FHN Family Healthcare Center – Burchard Hills, 1010 W. Fairway Drive, Freeport
Get Fit INFINITE friendly screening for baseline or check-up screens. Get Fit INFINITE is a year-round program; to sign up or for more information, visit www.fhn.org.
Fifth Third Bank Bowl for Kids’ Sake
6 p.m. (registration begins at 5:30 p.m)
4 Seasons Bowling Center, 1100 West Galena Avenue, Freeport
Teams of 6. Fun fund-raising event for friends, families, youth groups and teams; proceeds benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Illinois. Participants get pledges to cover $50 entry fee; door prizes will be awarded. Pledge sheets available online at www.fhn.org or by calling toll-free 1-877-6000-FHN (1-877-600-0346) ext. 997.
Infant Massage Class
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Park Hills Evangelical Free Church, 2525 W. Stephenson, Freeport
Fourth of four sessions. Learn a pleasant and effective way for parents to help their baby’s development while enhancing the parent-infant bond. Class is four sessions; cost is $120 and includes resources, supplies and daycare for older siblings if needed. For more information or to enroll, call the FHN Parent Enrichment Program at 815-599-7300.
April 28
The Cure for Spring Fever Health and Safety Fair
9 a.m. – 1 p.m
FHN Family Healthcare Center – Burchard Hills, 1010 W. Fairway Drive, Freeport
Join us for some FREE family fun – from a tricycle rodeo and car seat checks to bounce houses, crafts, information about staying safe and healthy and even an “Ask the Pediatrician” stop featuring FHN Pediatrician Adam Angelilli, MD. Visit www.fhn.org for a full list of activities.
May 1
FHN Hospice Volunteer Training
5:30 – 8 p.m.
Conference Room of Grandview Estates, 550 Pleasant Street, Elizabeth
First of five sessions. Free training provided by FHN Hospice for anyone interested in becoming a hospice volunteer. A light supper is provided. There is no obligation to volunteer, however those who wish to volunteer must attend all 5 sessions. For more information, call FHN Hospice at 815-599-7240.
May2
Blood Pressure Screening
9 – 10 a.m.
SR Center at Lincoln Mall, 1237 W. Galena Avenue, Freeport
No cost or registration necessary; sponsored by FHN Top 50.
May 7
Adult Diabetes Support Group
1 p.m.
FHN Memorial Hospital Globe Room – Lower Level
Living Your B.E.S.T. – A Practical Technique to Managing Stress by Dr. Elizabeth Stocks, doctor of chiropractic since 2008. No charge; registration not required. For more information, call 815-599-6253.
Retired Doc Joins FHN Board
Retired anesthesiologist John Scheub, MD, has accepted a position on the FHN Board of Directors.
Dr. Scheub retired from Rockford Anesthesiologists Associated in 2007; as part of RAA, he cared for patients at FHN for at least 11 years. He is on the faculty of the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Rockford, where he teaches second-year medical students clinical and communication skills.
“My goal is to bring an independent physician’s perspective to the board,” Scheub says. “FHN has a long tradition of physician leadership – that is important to the organization, and it is important to me.” He serves on a number of committees for the FHN Board: Executive; Strategic Planning; Quality/Safety; and Audit/Compliance.
“FHN has a real connection to our rural patients,” Scheub says. “I appreciate that – I grew up on a farm and still consider my family ‘farm people.’”
Dr. Scheub lives in Rockford with his wife of 48 years. They have three children, all of whom have chosen careers in healthcare. Dr. Scheub also serves on the SwedishAmerican Health System Board of Directors and is a proud member of the Blackhawk Region BMW Motorcycle Association. He is an alumnus of Harvard College and has served as a member of the Harvard Club of Chicago Schools and Scholarship Committee since 1983. As part of the committee, he interviews applicants to Harvard from northwestern Illinois and enjoys meeting the area’s best students each year.
Tags: alcohol, drinking, fhn, freeport, freeport health network, health, illinois, liquor, student initiative, underage drinking