Photo note:
The tulip planting ceremony at 1:30 p.m. includes 150 youngsters planting a tulip garden.

Tobacco industry heir leads children from seven schools
To ‘Plant a Promise’ and stay tobacco free

Patrick Reynolds, the tobacco industry heir who turned his back on his family fortune, will turn a shovel at a groundbreaking with children from seven schools as they promise to remain tobacco free for life during a ceremony at 1:30 p.m., Oct. 25, at Good Shepherd Lutheran School, Downers Grove.

The groundbreaking to plant tulips will be preceded by a talk to 150 children at 12:30 pm. Following the talk, Reynolds will be the special guest at a reception at the school. The public is invited to attend both the reception and planting. The garden is located at the south entrance of the school.

Reynolds is a grandson of tobacco company founder R.J. Reynolds. That family’s cigarette brands, Camel and Winston, killed Patrick’s eldest brother and father. Reynolds divested himself of tobacco industry stocks in 1979. In 1986, he began testifying before Congress against the tobacco industry. He has since devoted his life to urging young people to remain smoke-free. He has reached more than one million youths in personal appearances and an educational video.

The talk and ceremony are part of Red Ribbon Week activities being promoted by the DuPage County Health Department at local middle schools. Reynolds will deliver motivational talks at three local schools during Red Ribbon Week at Good Shepherd Lutheran School, Hadley Junior High in Glen Ellyn and Westmont Junior High in Westmont.

Good Shepherd will host students from six other schools, including Seventh Day Adventist School, Downers Grove and Resurrection Lutheran School, Aurora.

Plant a Promise is a project of Health Departments in northeastern Illinois. In DuPage County, there are 10 sites hosting these gardens, which are planted in honor and memory of those whose health has been impacted by tobacco use. The tulips are a reminder to the children that they have promised to stay tobacco free for life.

The DuPage Coalition Against Tobacco, the DuPage County Health Department and the schools are sponsors of Reynolds’ appearances, the reception and the tulip project.

“We promote health, prevent illness, and provide quality service”