Commission proclaims Oct. 23930 Red Ribbon Week; agrees to draft proclamation honoring Donnell Gwynn

The board approved a proclamation declaring Oct. 23Oct. 30, 2025, as Red Ribbon Week in Suwannee County and heard a public request to prepare a proclamation honoring the late Donnell Gwynn.

Beau Beauchman and Michael (representing the Our Community Cares Coalition) presented a Red Ribbon Week proclamation and an event schedule, describing planned activities in White Springs including a mural project on a 250-foot wall at a wayside park and community events through the week. The board moved and approved the proclamation by voice vote, 5-0.

Gigi Simmons Gwynn (identified in the public comment period as a family member) asked the board to issue a county proclamation honoring her husband, Donnell Gwynn, for his community service and said Representative Kat Cammack had requested and secured the U.S. Capitol flag flown over the Capitol and an official statement on the House floor recognizing Mr. Gwynn. Chair (unnamed) told Gwynn the board could not approve a proclamation immediately because a prepared proclamation text was not on the dais, but asked the board for consensus to allow the county attorney and staff to draft a proclamation for future formal approval. The board gave consensus to proceed and staff said they would contact Gwynn for the information needed to prepare the draft.

Red Ribbon Week activities were scheduled in the county, including a canoe race (subject to water conditions) and events at Wayside Park on Oct. 25; the proclamation includes encouragement for businesses, schools and civic organizations to wear and display red ribbons during the week as a statement in support of a drug-free community.