• Share your favorite memories from TFY get togethers!
• Share what you think about the tobacco industry targeting you to get you hooked early so they can make even more millions at the expense of people’s health and lives!
• Share how you feel when people smoke in front of you at parks, beaches, ball fields or other outdoor recreation areas!
• Share how you have encouraged others to quit using tobacco!

"Power" Poem from the TFY Crew Camp April 3-4, 2008

"The right to make a difference-the right to stand strong-even when someone says you're wrong!  Tell them how you feel, don't hold it in!  Even one feeling can be like the wind!  With power, responsibilities you must take hold.  With power, our dreams in which we mold.  So hold it tight because you might not have it for long.  So use your power to make the world a sweet song."  Written by Meeker County TFY Crew

"Cancer" by TFY Crew Steph and Sam at Crew Camp '08

"About one year ago in May, my Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer.  She got reconstructive surgery to help take the cancer out and it unfortunately failed!  She lost a lot of blood and almost died.  So she had another surgery done to remove her breast.  We thought it was over with, but the cancer spread and now it is connected to an organ.

As a part of the TFY Crew Camp, we realized that people smoking around you is secondhand smoke and will still cause cancer.  WE are in SADD and TFY to get people to stop making destructive decisions and to make sure that you don't lose a loved one to cancer.  We came to the Crew Camp because it is smoke free and we want to encourage others to stop punishing people who don't smoke.  We might not be able to stop people from smoking, but we can try.  We can try to stop people from smoking in public places."

"Mobilize. Lead. Change." by Ashley at TFY Crew Camp '08

"Mobilize others and lead them to change the world...mobilize yourself to mobilize others and lead each other to change the world...use your voice to mobilize others and lead them to change the world."

"My story. My loss." Anonymously written at TFY Crew Camp '08

"My Dad passed away when I was 12 years old from chewing tobacco.  He got a carcinoma cancer that was stage one.  So the doctors told us that he would only need surgery and a little radiation.  Well, less than 6 months later, the cancer spread from his mouth to his heart, lung and kidneys.  My Dad was a big man and he always said, 'Cancer could never hurt me, I am too strong.'  It is hard not to have him in my life and I don't want to see anyone else go through this kind of pain.  Tobacco does kill!  My story is living proof!  The reason I am part of the TFY Crew is to send the message out there and to help prevent it from killing others.  Tobacco is a major part of peoples' lives and it really hurts me."

"Just Plain and Simple" by Daniel at TFY Crew Camp '08

"My TFY story is just plain and simple.  Never have I picked up an actual drug and tried it.  For me, there is no value and pleasure in such things.  I believe in my body being a temple and to not damage it.  Also, I have the state of mind that if I do a drug or smoke, part of my innocence will disappear.  As well as what I stand for and believe making me into a hypocrite - for saying not to do things like smoking.  Plainly, I drive myself for what is good and not take negative thoughts of others."

"Being a Crew Leader" by Ashley at TFY Crew Camp '08

"I am excited to be a TFY Crew leader because it gives me so many more opportunities to make a difference in the community, school, etc.  There are so many different people that TFY can make a huge difference and all they have to do is know how to take that first step.  And it doesn't have to be a big difference right away, just one step at a time.  It's something that gives you the chance to take risks and show yourself through the projects and events that take place.  It never hurts for one more person to care, for one more person to step up and make that difference...the one that everybody is looking for."

"Tobacco Free Policies are Good" by a TFY Crew Leader at Crew Camp '08

"I think tobacco free policies are good because if someone doesn't want to smoke then they shouldn't have to smell it out in public.  Personally, tobacco products have affected me in some ways.  Both my Grandma and my Grandpa died from smoking.  My Grandma died of lung cancer and my Grandpa died from heart disease.  I want to be a TFY Crew Leader because I also have a brother who uses and I would like to be able to tell him what  can happen and what he can do to quit.  I think our decision makers should care about these issues because it's our future and most likely their kid's' future too.  This is why I want to be a TFY Crew Leader."

"Youth are the Future" by Tyson at TFY Crew Camp '08

"Youth are the future of our soceiety.  The previous generation is now looking to youth to step up and make changes to our corrupt society.  Youth make a difference by creating the standards for the next generation.  The question is, what is the example that we as youth are setting for the next generation?  We are the role models for younger children.  So why wouldn't we want to be positive role models?"

• meeker@smokefreemms.org
• mcleod@smokefreemms.org
• sibley@smokefreemms.org