5 Memorial Day Road Rules
By
Guest Blogger
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May 3, 2012
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Filed in:
General
Provided by Nationwide Insurance® the national presenting sponsor of the Power of Parents program. Nationwide also offers exclusive discounts to MADD supporters, learn more.
For many people, Memorial Day is a time to celebrate freedom, in more ways than one. We salute the U.S. veterans who sacrificed to preserve and protect us. And many of us celebrate freedom of the road on this holiday.
The unofficial kick-off for summer, Memorial Day weekend is one of the heaviest for traffic, which translates into more accidents. More than 470 people were killed during Memorial Day weekend in 2009, the most recent year for which such data is available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Protect your family with these safe driving tips from the NHTSA:
- Avoid alcohol. Alcohol and driving is always a bad mix. Every day, nearly 30 people in the U.S. die in a motor-vehicle crash involving an alcohol-impaired driver. If you have teen drivers, learn how to talk to them about alcohol.
- Keep your tires properly inflated. If Memorial Day weekend means a road trip for you and the gang, make sure your tires are ready to endure the marathon. A hot traveling surface can take its toll.
- Check your windshield. Make sure your view is clear and your wipers are in good shape. A sudden summer storm will hinder visibility more rapidly if there’s a coat of grime or dust on the windshield.
- Never leave kids unattended. Don’t leave your children in the car, even if you’re just running into the store for sunscreen. Temperatures inside an automobile can increase to deadly levels quickly.
- Rest up. To stay alert on your trip, get plenty of rest before you leave. Allow plenty of time to get to your destination to avoid aggravation, and keep yourself hydrated by bringing water with you.
National Volunteer Week
By
MADD
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April 18, 2012
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Filed in:
General
Volunteers are the heart and soul of MADD. It is their compassion and determination that drives the organization and it is their tireless efforts that have accomplished so much. This week, April 15-21, is National Volunteer Week, a time to recognize the contributions of MADD’s incredible volunteers.
We are so grateful for each and every one of our volunteers and the work that they do. MADD would not be successful without their dedication, support and generosity.
If you already volunteer for MADD, we would love to hear about your experience. Please tell us why you volunteer for MADD on our Facebook page.
If not, there’s a place for you at MADD. Whether you’re interested in volunteering a couple of time a year or a couple of times a week, we have a wide variety of opportunities to match your interests and expertise. Fill out our online form to get started.
Donate your Facebook Cover Photo
By
MADD
|
April 11, 2012
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Filed in:
General
,
Power of Parents
,
Underage Drinking
Only 10 more days until PowerTalk 21, the national day for parents to talk with their kids about alcohol. MADD wants to equip all parents and caregivers with the tools to help them start this potentially lifesaving conversation.
Will you help us spread the word by donating your Facebook cover photo? All you have to do is:
- Enable Facebook timeline (if you don’t already have it).
- Download the PowerTalk 21 cover photo below by right-clicking and saving it.
- Change the cover photo on your Facebook page. (Read Facebook’s instructions for more information.)
It’s that easy! Thanks for helping us prevent underage drinking and save lives by promoting PowerTalk 21.
Spring 2012 MADDvocate™
By
MADD
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April 6, 2012
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Filed in:
General
,
Victim Services
The Spring 2012 issue of MADDvocate is available. Read the latest issue of our online magazine that is helping survivors survive.
MADD Appoints Debbie Weir as Chief Executive Officer
By
MADD
|
March 2, 2012
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Filed in:
General
We are excited to announce that Debbie Weir has been named MADD's new Chief Executive Officer. Debbie joined MADD in 2002 as the Vice President of Victims Services, providing support and guidance to the MADD field and to drunk driving victims. Under her leadership, the number of victims MADD serves each year has more than doubled—now serving one victim every nine minutes. Debbie also created and launched the 1-877-MADD-HELP victim support line where specialists are available 24-hours-a-day to answer calls and provide emotional support.
In 2005, Debbie was promoted to Chief Operating Officer where she oversaw field operations, fundraising, volunteer and program development, in addition to victim advocacy and support.
"I am honored by the opportunity to lead MADD, which has achieved so much in changing the way our country looks at traffic fatality and injury prevention by showing that there are real people behind the statistics,” Debbie said. "With a focus on advocating for proven data-based countermeasures, our staff and volunteers, some of whom are victims and survivors of drunk driving crashes, have helped save hundreds of thousands of lives, and our ongoing Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving and underage drinking prevention programs will help us save even more lives."
"Debbie knows the heart and soul of what makes MADD work," said MADD National President Jan Withers, who lost a 15-year-old daughter in a drunk driving/underage drinking crash and serves as the organization's principal spokesperson. "Her compassion and dedication to victims and to the pursuit of eliminating drunk driving fatalities are a perfect fit."
For more information you can read the full press release or Debbie’s bio.
