Making the Message Stick

Park Ridge Police Explorers Gary Lynch, Anthony Perez and Karl Meister join Police Chief Frank Kaminski, Officer Mike Luehr and Alderman Joe Sweeney at Sticker Shock celebration

MCYAF, the Maine Community Youth Assistance Foundation, working with 90 volunteers, conducted Project Sticker Shock on Wednesday, April 18th at 59 retail stores across Maine Township that sell alcoholic beverages, posting reminders that it is illegal to provide alcohol to anyone under the age of 21.

Fourteen Sticker Shock teams of teens and young adults accompanied by adult chaperones travelled to stores that sell alcohol in Des Plaines, Niles and Park Ridge and posted stickers, window clings and posters that read “Warning: it is illegal 1) to provide alcohol to a person under age 21 and 2) for a minor to use a fake ID.”

Afterward, teams assembled at St. Andrews Lutheran School in Park Ridge to share experiences and celebrate their work with refreshments donated by local businesses. Participating students received certificates of appreciation from City and Police officials and credit for volunteer service hours. The event ran from 3:30- 6:00 p.m.

Sticker Shock reminds adults and teens in Des Plaines, Niles and Park Ridge that providing alcohol to minors is illegal, unhealthy and dangerous. MCYAF organizers believe the event will help deter adults who otherwise might provide or sell alcohol to teens or simply look the other way when it comes to young people drinking.

The one-day campaign was prompted by 2010 Illinois Youth Survey results that showed teens most often get alcohol from someone or somewhere familiar such as a friend, older sibling, parent, at a party, or from their own house or a friend’s house without parents’ knowledge.

Project Sticker Shock materials were provided by the Illinois Liquor Control Commission’s Don’t Be Sorry campaign to remind the public during April, which is Alcohol Awareness Month, about the consequences of underage drinking. This is the third year that MCYAF organized Sticker Shock.
If you would like to help with Sticker Shock next year or other MCYAF activities, call (847) 858-7090.