| March 24, 2006 - First Baptist Church Cleveland, Tx.
Annual Outdoor Expo
Funny, but I don't think the attendees were aware of
my topic this night. There was a defined silence as I talked of oral cancer,
dipping, my operation and the importance of understanding the dangers of
smokeless. I did get back pats for speaking on something that even some of the
elders there had never heard spoke of.
May5, 2006 - Shepherd High School - SISD Health Awareness
Fair ( booth/exhibit )
Had a lot of fun at this one. And hopefully did some
good. I had a banner made and got it back on Thursday. Then made signs up on
Thursday night. Pictures were enlarged by school nurse who had invited me there
for this event. I knew some of the kids since my daughter goes there. Anyhow, I
had some great conversations with some of the guys. Even though tobacco is
illegal in school, I got some of them to throw their dip away. And I had some
vowing to throw away theirs once they got home to it. I also did a rough draft
of a pledge for them. Something for them to keep and think about. The gentleman
with the goatee is the health teacher and he is willing to help them set up a
support group. Since these are hometown guys, I will be checking up on them. I
would like to commend the school nurse, Donna Turner. Her efforts in putting on
this health fair for the kids was extraodinary. She made sure this was for the
kids and about the kids. Dealing with issues that face them today. Thank you,
Donna.
On the 13th of May, I recieved a letter from Nurse
Turner. She informed me that she had 7 signed pledges on her desk. That's seven
young men that have made the conscious choice to give up tobacco. I hope and
pray they stick with the quit. And I wish them all the best.
September 16, 2006Upper Gulf Coast Outdoor Expo ( booth/exhibit )
I was invited down to Needville for this event to set
up my booth and talk with people as they came by. I wasn't expecting much since
this was in a small town. And even though the numbers were low compared to
previous expos, I managed to talk with quite a few people. I had 2 men come to
me and say they had seen my link and gave up dipping before the show. And at
the show, I had another 7 give up smokeless tobacco. Unfortunately, I had no
pictures for this event. I would like to thank Creekside Christian Fellowship
for having me out.
May9, 2007- Challis Jr/Sr High School - Challis, Idaho (
powerpoint&speech )
The principal of the school contacted me a few weeks
prior to this date and asked if I was available to come up there. His interest
in my program was geared towards me being outdoor related. He figured the kids
would take to me since I could speak of their hobbies. At the beginning of the
presentation, I asked how many dipped/chewed. I got one hand. During the
powerpoint, which contains pictures of my operation, you could see the
reactions of disgust and pain. At the end of it, I had 5 cans in my hand from
dippers and a few promises to trash cans once others got home. I feel not only
did I impact the guys with this program but the girls as well. Once asked who
knew of a dipper/chewer, most every hand in the room went up.
 I will say this. The people of Challis are some of the nicest I
have ever met. And the kids were well behaved and very attentive as I spoke.
Thank you to Kevin Kemp (principal), the faculty and all of Challis.
May 18, 2007- Coldspring High School, Coldspring, Texas
Health Fair
I set up my small booth much the same way I had at my
daughter's school last year. It created a lot of interest not just from the
kids, but also from teachers and staff passing through. I had a few cans
donated to my collection and a promise from a few more to rid themselves of
theirs once they got home. I went over my story many times and it never tired
me to tell it as long as I could tell it was making an impact. I would like to
thank the school nurse, Ms. Moore for inviting me out.
February 18-22 & 25-26,
2008
New
Mexico
Feb. 18 -
Animas
Feb.19
-Cobre & Silver City
Feb.20-
Hatch and truth or Consequences
Feb. 21-
Chaparral
Feb. 22
-Onate
Feb. 25
-San Jon & Tucumcari
Feb. 26
-Logan
During
this trip to Southern and Northeastern New Mexico I will have talked to over
3000 middle and high schoolers. Though not every audience had raised hands when
I asked if anyone dipped/chewed, all of them had raised hands when I asked if
anyone personally knew a smokeless tobacco user. Many of these communities are
small but I was extremely pleased to find that programs were in place to assist
with cessation. The people that ran these programs were my hosts and I learned
a lot from them. I want to thank them for their hospitality.
March 4-6, 2008- National Summit on Smokeless and Spit Tobacco
Oklahoma City
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