FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 28, 2020

Contact: Natalie Golub, 973-382-4560, natalie@drugfreenj.org

Children Across NJ Share Positive Experiences Discovered While Social Distancing

MILLBURN, NJ — New Jersey children are finding some “silver linings” to the social distancing caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey’s (PDFNJ) Share Your Silver Linings campaign invited kindergarten through 8^th grade students to share a story about a new healthy and positive family ritual, habit, activity or a healthy tip they have discovered while social distancing.

Some examples of the silver linings stories included the following:

• “Even though quarantine may seem like nothing could get better, I’ve started to realize all the laughs I’ve been getting with my family.  At the dinner table we are always laughing and just having fun. And I know for a FACT being quarantined can’t take away laughter.”
  • Lucy S., 4^th Grade, Bogert Elementary School, Upper Saddle River

• “My Silver Lining Story is that we started being kind to people without anyone telling us to do it. Me and my three sisters do something nice for people every week. Today, we are going to deliver coffee and donuts to the police officers to say thank you for keeping us safe.”
  • Ella N., 1^st Grade, Whiting Elementary School, Ocean

• I learned so many new things about my brother. We have so much more in common than we ever imagined. Without social distancing, my brother and I would not be this close.
  • Meghan P., 5^th Grade, Point Pleasant

• There are still ups and downs when it comes to quarantine and the mess going on around me. But because of the excess amount of time I have to myself, focusing on my mental health has been such a silver lining. I have been able to workout and feel confident in my own skin as well as eating healthy and feeling refreshed. I feel as if I am in a better state of mind and am extremely grateful for this time. 
  • Julia Nicole B., 8^th Grade, Ridgewood

“We hope that this campaign spreads a little joy by showcasing these uplifting experiences that children across the state have experienced during this time while social distancing at home,” explained Angelo Valente, PDFNJ’s Executive Director.  “The campaign allowed these children to share their experiences with their classmates, peers and perhaps help them see the silver linings that have been created during this difficult time.”

The campaign aimed at sharing positive stories or “silver linings”, accepted entries of 150 words or fewer from April 22 through May 22. All of the entries will be published online, as well as shared on social media, as a way to encourage school children to look for silver linings as well. These stories can be found at drugfreenj.org/stories. Each entry received was entered into a random drawing for a chance to win one of five $100 Amazon gift cards. 

Students who entered submissions may be available for interviews.

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Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey: Best known for its statewide substance use prevention advertising campaign, the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey is a private not-for-profit coalition of professionals from the communications, corporate and government communities whose collective mission is to reduce demand for illicit drugs in New Jersey through media communication. To date, more than $100 million in broadcast time and print space has been donated to the Partnership’s New Jersey campaign, making it the largest public service advertising campaign in New Jersey’s history. Since its inception, the Partnership has garnered 180 advertising and public relations awards from national, regional and statewide media organizations.