An annual community event drew a large crowd to the Canton Recreational Pavilion last week, in support of a worthy cause.
On Friday, March 20, the Pavilion played host to the 4th Annual Advancing Tobacco Free Communities (ATFC) and Reality Check’s Rock N Skate, an event that continues to prove popular in the North Country.
This year’s event was Camouflage themed, with the slogan “Big Tobacco Can’t Camouflage The Facts.” Reality Check continues to raise awareness and support a healthier, tobacco-free community. Various community organizations tabled upstairs in the Community Room for the more than 200 attendees. Organizations included the St. Lawrence County STOP DWI Program, Hermon-DeKalb Scout Troop 144, Canton Fire Department, P.E.A.C.E. Coalition, and The Seaway Valley Prevention Council.
Attendees were able to stop at each table and learn about their various programs while also receiving a free giveaway. Downstairs before entering the rink, parents were asked to complete a survey on Tobacco Policies and Tobacco Advertising in the community of Canton.
Rock N Skate was organized and facilitated Canton Reality Check Youths Ryan Mitchell, Dayshawn James, Sophia Wright, Quinn Lewis, Emma Bradish-Hayes, Khloe Davis, and Arieanne Grimshaw, led by Coordinators Travis Jordan and Sarah Martin.
“We’d like to take the time to thank all volunteers who also helped with the event,” said Jordan, who named the Canton boys varsity hockey team, Canton Little Italy, Kinney Drugs, and the Canton Recreation staff as big helpers with the event. “Without them, none of it would have been possible!”
