Dig Life Team

Friday, October 09, 2009

PINEDALE, WY - UPEC is a proud sponsor of the Shelby Lyn Allen Alcohol Poisoning Education Foundation. I am happy to see this program gaining the momentum that it has in just 10 months. In the little rural town of Pinedale, Wyoming, the Pinedale School girls volleyball team adopted the “Dig Life” theme in memory of Shelby Lyn Allen and to further the cause of Alcohol Poisoning Education. Last Friday the team received their printed sweatshirts with the “Dig Life” logo on the front. Many thanks to their corporate sponsor BP for buying the team these sweatshirts. The students at Pinedale heard the message last May and have become leaders for saving lives. We have received a couple of remarkable stories from students in that community on how the message of Alcohol poisoning has changed their lives and their behavior.

Every week, I get news that another teen or a young college adult has fallen to alcohol poisoning. Our young people today are killing themselves and they have no idea what they are doing when it comes to alcohol consumption. It’s not the college students who consume gallons of beer, its high school students who drink multiple shots of hard liquor in a matter of minutes. Why? to get high faster!

Debbie Allen continues to open the eyes of parents and young people through her 45 minute educational presentations and personal story. Her story has opened my eyes and those of my children and I thank Debbie for her bravery and conviction. Today, an estimated 13,000 more children will try alcohol for the first time in their life. One of these children may be someone you know. There will be no one there to tell them about alcohol poisoning and another young person will die needlessly.

I have always believed in giving back to the community both personally and through our jobs and our union.  I can think of no better way to give back and help our communities than to teach parents and our young people about the dangers of alcohol poisoning. I ask for our members to identify forums, health fairs, classrooms and churches where we can present this vital life saving information. Our goal is to make Alcohol Poisoning Awareness as well known as “Don’t Drink and Drive”. Visit our website at http://www.shelbysrules.com.

Sincerely,
Chris Darker, Business Manager
UPEC Local 792