MADD at the Super Bowl
By
MADD
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February 5, 2013
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Filed in:
General
MADD was invited by our partners at the NFL to host a booth during the Super Bowl Media Week. Check out a few of the photos from the event:
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MADD CEO Debbie Weir and Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt
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Former Ravens tackle and Pro Hall of Famer Jonathan Ogden
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MADD’s booth with 100% alcohol free MADD Virgin Drinks samples
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In Our Hearts
By
Jan Withers
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February 4, 2013
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Filed in:
National President
,
Victim Services
On a TV show I watched recently, a young woman was clinging to a pink felt heart. Her friend pointed to it and asked, “What’s this about?” The woman responded, “It was sewn on a teddy bear that I carried around everywhere when I was a child. I never let go of that bear. I finally wore it out, and this heart is all I have left,” she replied. He very gently responded, “You have the best part.” He then pulled a tiny piece of paper from his wallet. It was from a Chinese fortune cookie she had given him the first time they met. On it was written, “Today’s new friend is tomorrow’s family.”
This month, many of us whose loved ones were killed by impaired driving will pull out Valentine cards that are now—like my heart’s feelings—a little tattered around the edges. My eyes often fill with tears as I think, “this is all I have left of Alisa. I want more.”
But then, Alisa’s lovely spirit tiptoes to the front of my heart. You see I carry her in my heart, everywhere I go. She has always been there—before she was born, to the time that she danced around us on this earth, and even now when her beautiful spirit lives in my heart, as it does in so many others. I never let go of that girl.
On Valentine’s Day—and every day—remember that our loved ones live on in our heart. In our hearts… that’s the best place, now. I am so grateful for all of the gifts Alisa continues to give me, and I am sure that your loved ones fill your heart with gifts of love, too. May your Valentine’s Day give you warm moments of lovely memories.
Each of us connects to MADD for our own reasons, and so we are connected to one another. I cherish our bond as I cherish every one of you. On this Valentine’s Day, whether or not we have met in person, I thank you for being in my life. Today’s new friend is tomorrow’s family. How true that is.
Warmly,
Jan
Why We’re Here: Luke Maue
By
MADD
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February 4, 2013
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Filed in:
Drunk Driving
,
Victim Services
,
Victim Stories
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| Luke at the zoo |
Luke Maue was a loving and caring boy with a sweet smile. He loved basketball, the Power Rangers and Blues Brothers 2000.
On May 18, 2001, seven-year-old Luke visited the St. Louis Zoo on a field trip with his first-grade class. Luke was excited about the trip and was happy to have his mother, Angie, attend with him.
As they were leaving the zoo after a fun-filled day, a 20-year-old drunk driver, with a BAC of .22, was driving 64 mph in a 25 mph zone and lost control of his car. His car jumped the curb and struck and killed Luke on the sidewalk as his mother and classmates watched in horror.
After Luke was killed, Angie called MADD’s Help Line looking for support. She was introduced to a victim advocate, Angela Leong, who met the family at the funeral home for the visitation and continued to support the family. “She was there for us whenever we needed her,” says Angie Maue, Luke’s mother.
Angie also attended support group meetings and other MADD events. Through MADD, the Maue family found a community that helped them through the healing process, and now considers them family.
Angie now spends her time speaking at area high schools, colleges and MADD Victim Impact Panels. She hopes that sharing Luke’s story might prevent someone else from a senseless tragedy like this.
“I feel that is my gift and what I am supposed to do,” Angie says. “I witnessed my son's death and now I need to be his voice. We want to give back to MADD, the organization that is making an effort to do the same.”
The Maues created Luke’s Legacy and host a fundraising event for MADD called “Hope 4 Tomorrow,” a 5K run and 1 mile MADD Dash that is held around Luke’s birthday each year. This event raises several thousand dollars each year for the MADD Gateway affiliate.
Impact: After the Crash Documentary Film
By
MADD
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February 1, 2013
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Filed in:
Drunk Driving
May 14th will mark the 25th anniversary of the deadliest drunk driving crash in US history. A bus carrying a church group in Carrollton, KY was hit by a drunk driver, killing 27 passengers—24 youth and 3 adults—and injured 30 more. Former MADD National President Karolyn Nunnallee's daughter Patty was killed in the crash.
You can read more about how the Kentucky Bus Crash inspired the creation of a large-scale crisis response system in our Winter MADDvisor.
| Impact: After the Crash Trailer |
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Super Bowl XLVII
By
MADD
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January 30, 2013
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Filed in:
Drunk Driving
The Super Bowl is one of America’s most anticipated and celebrated sporting events and brings together families, friends and fans each year to enjoy the excitement of the big game. Fans often gather to watch the game at sports bars, restaurants or Super Bowl parties; but too many times these fans have one too many during the big game and then drive. In fact, on Super Bowl Sunday in 2011, 43 percent of all traffic fatalities involved a drunk driver compared to 31 percent of total traffic fatalities for the year.
MADD wants everyone to enjoy the game this year, but more importantly, we want everyone to get home from the celebration safely.
If you’re attending a Super Bowl party or watching the game at a sports bar or restaurant:
- Designate a sober driver before the party begins or save the number of a local cab service in your phone prior to heading out.
- If you don’t have a designated driver, ask a sober friend for a ride home, or call a cab, friend, or family member to come and get you.
- Always buckle up. It’s your best defense against other drunk drivers.
If you’re hosting a Super Bowl party:
- Make sure all of your guests designate their sober drivers in advance, or help arrange ride-sharing with sober drivers.
- Never serve alcohol to someone under the 21 and never ask children to serve alcohol at parties.
- Serve plenty of food and non-alcoholic beverages at the party, but avoid too many salty snacks as they tend to make people thirsty and drink more.
- Host your party just like they do at the stadium. Stop serving alcohol at the end of the third quarter of the game. The fourth quarter is perfect for serving coffee and dessert.
- Keep the phone numbers of local cab companies on hand and take the keys away from anyone who is thinking of driving drunk.
- Review our Safe Party Guide for more tips to help you be a champion host this Super Bowl Sunday.
No matter how you celebrate or who you cheer for this Super Bowl Sunday, don’t ruin the day by getting a DUI, or much worse. If you're going to drink alcohol, remember to plan ahead and designate a sober driver to help get everyone home safe after the game.
