Black seeking more participation for HCPC Spot the Billboard campaign
Look, up in the sky, it’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s... a billboard!Nearly one year ago, the Holmes County Prevention Coalition (HCPC) held a contest among area teens, who were asked to submit what they felt would be quality drawings for billboards promoting the HCPC’s endeavors to reduce the use of drugs and alcohol in Holmes County.
Chelsea Black was the winner, and several other drawings have been tabbed since then to be put up in lights on Holmes County byways to serve as reminders of the coalition’s efforts.
In addition, the HCPC began a billboard spotting contest for area teens, asking them to spot one of the various billboards around Holmes County and send in a postcard to HCPC director Midge Roberts denoting where it was, the message it stated, and its creator.
Since that time, Erica Beck has benefited greatly by the lack of entries, winning the past three billboard prizes.
Beck has faithfully found the billboards, turned in an entry, and because of the lack of entries, has collected the $25 gift card on three different occasions. Billboard committee chair Doug Black would like to see the program take off, and is hoping that more youth choose to participate in a fun activity in which teens could collect $25 for doing very little.
“Few teens have taken the opportunity to send in postcards or call Roberts to participate in the Find the Billboard campaign. It’s so easy, I can’t believe that more kids don’t do it,” said Black. “There’s not a lot that youth have to do other than send in a postcard identifying the message and the creator of the billboard. It’s easy, and quick, and effortless, and I would think that most kids would like having $25 to spend somewhere.”
What the committee is really trying to do is get youth involved in getting out the message that drugs and alcohol won’t be tolerated in Holmes County.
Black’s daughter, Chelsea, has even gone so far as to offer plenty of clues on where to look on her Facebook page.
The list of items which should accompany an entry/postcard include the youth’s name, age, phone number, and address, their school, the location of the billboard, a quick sentence about what the message is on the billboard, the artist, if there is one, and the sponsor of the billboard.
“We would love to see more kids getting on board, not just for the billboard campaign, but in other HCPC groups like SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions). It’s a great way for area teens to connect with the county in a positive way, and they can make a few dollars for doing practically nothing.”
Black also noted that the group is currently seeking billboard campaign sponsors, which is set at only $25, and gets the name of the sponsor on the billboard for one month, making it a cheap way to advertise, along with supporting the coalition’s endeavors.
Troy Miller, of Troy Miller Insurance Agency of Shreve and Berlin, has been a faithful supporter of the billboard campaign, donating several times to show his company’s support to the HCPC.
Miller said it’s an easy way to get your name out there, but more importantly, it serves a greater purpose.
“It’s about getting people involved in something positive for our county,” said Miller. “It helps bring awareness to the fact that we do have issues with drugs and alcohol, even here in Holmes County. As for the billboards, I think they’re a great idea. It promotes awareness, and I’ve got kids that age, and anything we can do to help promote the HCPC is a great thing for our county. This is an easy way for us as a business to support that cause.”
Anyone wishing to sponsor the Spot the Billboard campaign may contact Black at 330-674-0695. Teens who would like to take advantage of an easy way to get in the drawing to possibly make a quick $25 can contact Roberts at robertsm@yhrc.org, or by calling her at 330-674-4608.