Warren Coalition Coordinating Warren County IRL, a Global Day of Unplugging Event 

As part of its “We See You, Warren County” program, Warren Coalition is calling the community to come together for Warren County IRL (In Real Life), a Global Day of Unplugging event that will be held from sundown, March 1^st to sundown, March 2^nd. This is a day created by Unplug Collaborative (unplugcollaborative.org), set aside for people to disconnect from phones and re-connect with themselves, nature, and especially with friends, family, and community—in person!  

Studies have shown that overuse of smart phones, especially in relation to social media, has a negative impact on our mental health and overall wellbeing. The U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, has deemed loneliness and isolation an epidemic in the US, publishing an advisory around it in May of 2023. The reliance on smart phones and social media for communication have contributed to this sense of loneliness.  

Warren County IRL participants are encouraged to unplug for a full 24 hours, though they can commit to smaller timeframes. Throughout that time, various businesses and organizations will be offering events, activities, programs, prizes, and/or discounts to help people engage in real life. Businesses and organizations that would like to be a part of this effort can contact Celeste Brooks at celeste@warrencoalition.org or 540-660-3367.  

Individuals who participate in unplugging will be eligible for prizes. Signing up on the Warren Coalition website earns one entry into the prize drawings. Signing in at any one of the Warren County IRL events earns additional entries. Completing a survey after the event earns yet another entry. For more information, warrencoalition.org/wc-irl or check out the Warren Coalition Facebook page. 

Warren Coalition is a nonprofit agency established in 1994 to help fill the gaps in health care and substance abuse awareness to the community. The Coalition began under the guidance of Warren Memorial Hospital as an outreach project, but it has since grown and was incorporated in 2001.  The office is currently located in the Warren County Community Center.  Their mission is to make Warren County a safe, healthy, and drug free community through many programs and in collaboration with 15+ member agencies.