Happy Halloween!
By | October 31, 2011 | Filed in: General , National President

I love Halloween.  In our household, before it was officially late enough to go “trick-or-treating” the antsy energy of my kids was off the charts - getting dressed in costumes, making sure the bags were sturdy enough, Alisa and her sister, Jenni, coaching their little brother on how to say “trick or treat” and when to say “thank you.”   I truly loved watching their glee as they dressed up in their make-believe outfits and prepared to knock on our neighbors’ doors.  It was a magical time.

Of course my job was to insure their safety.  I walked along side of them, and even when they were a little older and they were feeling it was “uncool” for mom to be with them, I still did so.  When we came home I thought I was being a careful parent by sorting through the goodies, making certain they only consumed commercially wrapped sweets, to protect them from anything slipped into their bags with sinister intent.   But I took quiet happiness watching them sort and divide their treats equally between them, with no prompting from me.  I loved how they cared for one another.

To me Halloween is dedicated to celebrating children and their delight in make-believe.  It can also be an evening for other celebrations so I encourage you to take extra care to be safe.  I wish you a safe and magical Halloween.

Warmly, Jan

Alisa and Jenni, Halloween 1980

Moving Among Heroes
By | October 29, 2011 | Filed in: Drunk Driving , Victim Services

Walking among thousands of law enforcement officers last week at the International Association of Chiefs of Police, IACP, Convention I felt safe and inspired.  I was continuously impressed with their sincere commitment to doing their very best.   Carl McDonald, MADD’s Law Enforcement Initiative Coordinator and Carly’s dad, has represented our mission among these committed servants for several years.

Sitting in as a new member of their Victim Services Committee, I was particularly impressed that they don’t just talk the talk but they have their sleeves rolled up and are working on ways to supporting victims of crime instead of merely treating them as sources of evidence.  The committee chairman summarized the importance of victim services with, “We need to remember that we are peace officers first and law enforcement second.”

This is an amazing group of individuals and I am so proud of our partnership with the Heroes Who Make Our Roads Safe.

Carl McDonald and Jan Withers

I flew from one assembly of champions to Boston, Massachusetts, where I was privileged to join another group of superstars.   MADD is a mighty organization.   Part of our strength is the bond we share for our mission.  Everywhere I go I feel as though I am with family. I reconnected with an old friend, Matt Shedd, former board member.  Their daughter, Hillary, was killed by a drunk driver close to the time my daughter, Alisa, was killed.  Over tea we talked with Mary Kate DePampilis, who is the new Special Events Coordinator for MADD Massachusetts.  As we reminisced, she picked our brains for information.  By the end of the evening I believe she could also feel the “family” atmosphere. 

 
Mary Kate DePampilis and Matt Shedd

A very successful Lobby Day was the result of tremendous effort and expertise of David DeIuliis, Program Manager for MADD Massachusetts.  He is extremely skilled as well as a deeply compassionate individual.  Six years ago Melanie’s Law was established, requiring repeat convicted drunk drivers to have ignition interlocks on their vehicles for two years.  Thirteen-year-old Melanie Powell was walking to a birthday party with her friends when a repeat drunk driver killed her.   Her grandfather, Ron Bersani, worked tirelessly to get this law passed.  Now Senator Hedlund has sponsored a bill to require all convicted offenders to use ignition interlocks.  

Melanie’s mother - Nancy Powell, Ron Bersani, Jan Withers, David DeIuliis

Thanks to Dave’s tireless efforts we accomplished so much that day.  There was extensive media coverage, including some live interviews on news talk shows and we talked to several senators and their staff. 

 
Elizabeth Hopkins on Fox 25 Morning News

Here I was on Boston’s Beacon Hill, at the heart of the city where our forefathers first demanded their voices to be heard.    I found myself a bit in awe – that because of them, today we still have the freedom to expect our voices to count.    As we walked the halls of the historic State House, I was again inspired with the dedication of a few individuals who are relentless in their work to make positive change - to save lives. 

 
Ron Bersani gave a powerful and persuasive speech.

Drugged Driving: A Growing Threat on Our Roadways
By | October 13, 2011 | Filed in: Drugged Driving , General , National President , Victim Services

For more than 30 years, MADD has worked hard to put a face to the statistics.  Study after study shows what happens when alcohol and driving are mixed — tragedy.  But while drunk driving remains one of the primary threats on America’s roadways, alcohol isn’t the only drug that causes heartbreak on our roadways.  We are also seeing a growing trend of poly-abuse (both alcohol and other drugs) and drugged driving crashes.  Although the substances are different, the consequences are the same — needless deaths and injuries. 

Just ask Hollywood Ruch and Stephanie Call.  Both are speaking at today’s event after personally being impacted by drivers under the influence of drugs. 

Here’s what we’re up against according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:

• Roughly one in eight weekend, nighttime drivers tested positive for illicit drugs.
• In 2009, of the drivers who were killed in motor vehicle crashes (and were subsequently tested and had results reported), one in three tested positive for drugs.
• One in ten high school seniors self-reported that in the last two weeks they had driven a car after using marijuana.

The ripple effects after a crash are as deep as they are wide.  At MADD, we like to say: first there is the crash … then there is the impact.  That is why since our founding, MADD has provided support to victims and survivors of drunk driving crashes.  After my daughter Alisa died, I turned to MADD for help.  And what I found was that not only did I get help, I got hope too. 

For the past 17 years, I’ve personally served as a victim advocate and have worked with hundreds of families, some of which lost their loved ones to a drugged driver.   Each case is as heartbreaking as the next. 

While MADD has been providing support for those victims and survivors of drugged driving crashes who have been referred to or have reached out to MADD, until now, MADD has not made specific national efforts to reach these underserved victims. Today, in recognition of the growing problem of poly-abuse and drugged driving, we are announcing alongside the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy the launch of a national coordinated effort to reach out to the underserved and growing number of drugged driving victims in the country.

Corporal David Andracsik

In addition to victim services, MADD will also begin honoring those law enforcement officers who are pioneers in discovering effective strategies for recognizing drugged driving. At MADD, we believe that recognizing officers who make significant contributions to ending drugged driving is key to raising awareness about this growing threat to American families.

Starting this year, an award, known as the ‘MADD Hero Award for Drugged Driving Enforcement,’ will be awarded biannually to a law enforcement agency, individual or group that has made significant contributions toward getting drugged drivers off of the nation’s roadways.  I am proud today to share that the first winner of the MADD Hero Award for Drugged Driving Enforcement is Corporal David Andracsik of the Pennsylvania State Police Department Bureau of Patrol.  We thank Corporal Andracsik for all he has done to help protect people and prevent injuries.

You can help support this exciting new aspect to our organization’s ongoing efforts to save lives and serve people.  Make a donation or find out how you can become a trained victim advocate.  MADD needs people like you to push our lifesaving mission forward.

MADD Hawaii’s Roaring Rendition of Fashionable Flapper Fun(d)raiser
By | October 10, 2011 | Filed in: General , National President

Magical weather, Magical flowers, Magical friends, Magical MADD Cab Affair

Aloha.  Travelling to Hawaii to share in a creative, festive, and fruitful affair was worth every hour on the plane. 

To be met at the airport by MADD Hawaii’s ED, Jennifer Dotson, to be greeted at the MADD Cab Affair the next evening by delightful volunteers all decked out in 1920’s flapper outfits, to enjoy an evening of dining, entertainment and bidding competition on silent auction items, and to have cabs escort all the guests to and from the event in style was an evening that I will always cherish.  The evening was a roaring success.  

Then the following evening to gather with MADD Hawaii Council members at the home of Sara and Peter Dudgeon, overlooking the waves off Diamond Head, was as relaxing as the company was enjoyable.   What a weekend!

The volunteers in MADD Hawaii are amazing.   Many have been with MADD since they formed the chapter in 1983.   Their dedication and skills are inspirational.  Others have joined more recently, bringing new talent and expertise to MADD’s mission of saving lives and supporting victims.  I left wanting more.   That says everything.

Walk Like MADD...Cloudy Morning, Sunshine Hearts
By | September 23, 2011 | Filed in: Drunk Driving , National President , Victim Services

The morning began cloudy with a brisk chilly breeze. That didn't stop walkers from turning out for Georgia's Walk Like MADD event in Atlanta. When asked why they came, why they walk, they said:

 

I walk to raise money for MADD - so we can continue the work of saving lives.

I come to support others who have been victimized by drunk driving.

I walk in memory of my loved one who was killed by a drunk driver.

I walk to bring awareness to this crime. It is unacceptable. It must stop.

I come to volunteer with my friends. We want a life without having to worry about drunk drivers.

I'm here because my grandparents brought me. It's fun! I love the moon bounce and the crafts. The hotdogs are good, too.

The morning was one of Friendship

of Family

of Winners

of Love

and of All the Reasons Why We Walk.

Thank you State Farm for your generous support.