Walk Like MADD Event to Help Remember Those Killed, Inspire Change
and Ask Community to Commit to End Drunk Driving
Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) Southeast Texas will host its annual Walk Like MADD Houston fundraiser on Saturday, May 21st at Oyster Creek Park in Sugar Land, Texas from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Victims, survivors and supporters will line up for this non-competitive 5K run/walk to remember lost loved ones, inspire change and commit to a nation with No More Victims®.
“Nearly 10,000 people are killed each year in drunk driving crashes. Texas led the nation in drunk driving fatalities in 2014 with 1,446 tragic and preventable deaths, with the highest number of drunk driving fatalities in Harris County, 203,” said MADD National President Colleen Sheehey-Church whose son was killed by an underage drunk and drugged driver. “Walk Like MADD gives victims and survivors like me a safe place to remember their loved ones, and help raise mission-critical funds to help save lives.”
This year, MADD Southeast Texas is excited to host Sheehey-Church, as well as Chris Jacobs, host of the automotive makeover show “Overhaulin’” and “Barret-Jackson Live” on the Velocity television network. Jacobs also serves as a national spokesperson for Velocity’s “Drive Smart,” an advocacy campaign created by Velocity with the help of MADD to encourage and raise awareness for safe driving practices on America’s roadways. Velocity is also the national media sponsor for Walk Like MADD.
“As part of Velocity’s Drive Smart program, I’m honored to walk alongside so many who want to support MADD’s efforts to end drunk driving. I encourage everyone in the Houston community to come join all of us on May 21,” said Jacobs.
Jacobs even started his own Walk Like MADD team: OverhaulinMADD. People can sign up to walk and join his team by registering at madd.org/overhaulinMADD.
Funds raised through Walk Like MADD help further MADD’s lifesaving mission in the Houston area by supporting its Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving, which calls for high-visibility law enforcement, ignition interlocks or “in-car breathalyzers” for all convicted drunk drivers and support for the development of advanced technology.
Walk like MADD has three main components:
- Remember: We walk for those who no longer can and alongside those who are learning to walk again. Walk Like MADD Houston will feature memorial tribute yard signs with photos and memories of loved ones who were killed or injured. There will also be a Team Alley where Walk Like MADD teams will decorate pop-up tents to honor their loved ones.
- Inspire: We walk empowered even when we feel powerless, as survivors when we have been victimized, and with purpose when we have lost our way. To inspire those attending, 289 pinwheels will be displayed representing the lives lost in 2014 drunk driving crashes in Southeast Texas.
- Commit: We walk with supporters who share our vision of no more drunk driving victims. Participants will have the chance to sign a remembrance board to write why they are committed to ending drunk driving. Walkers may also make a social media pledge to commit to ending drunk driving, and law enforcement and first responder representatives from 10 counties will be present to show their commitment.
Walk Like MADD events are taking place in more than 80 cities across the country this year. Registration is $20 for those ages 5-21, and $25 for those who are 21 and over.
There are several other ways to participate in Walk Like MADD if attendance is not possible:
- Donate – Give to a participant or a team to help them reach their fundraising goals.
- Be a virtual walker – If someone can’t be there in person, there are still ways for them to get involved and raise money for this important cause.
Please visit www.walklikemadd.org/houston to register, donate or get more information.
About Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Founded by a mother whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver, Mothers Against Drunk Driving® is the nation’s largest nonprofit working to end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these crimes and prevent underage drinking. MADD supports drunk and drugged driving victims and survivors at no charge, serving one person every fifteen minutes through local MADD victim advocates and at 1-877-MADD-HELP. MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving® will end drunk driving through increased law enforcement, all offender ignition interlock laws and advanced vehicle technology. PowerTalk 21® is the national day for parents to talk with their teens about alcohol, using Power of Parents®’ proven approach to reduce underage drinking. Learn more by visiting madd.org or calling 1-877-ASK-MADD.
About Drive Smart
Velocity’s Drive Smart, is a national advocacy campaign encouraging and raising awareness for safe driving practices. Joining forces with MADD and TeenDrive365: In School, Drive Smart is intended to help save lives by stopping drunk, drugged and distracted driving through a mix of partner initiatives, on-air messages, online content, social media outreach and consumer facing events. Through VelocityDriveSmart.com the network is urging viewers to take the Drive Smart pledge: to never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs; to drive free of distractions from phones, friends, food and more; and to protect themselves and loved ones. For every pledge received Velocity is committing a donation to MADD, whose mission is to end drunk driving, to help fight drugged driving, to support the victims of those violent crimes and to prevent underage drinking.