Here's a capsule report on some of the MADD RI major events during the year 2002: One of the year's highlights was a poignant observance of what proved to be the reason for the founding of MADD RI.  As you have read in other pages on this site, MADD RI was started by Mrs. Pauline Allard of Woonsocket, RI, following the death of her daughter, Denise, 16, to a drunk driver.  Two other male teen friends, David Adams and Drew Deziel, buth 17, died with her in the same vehicle.  That date was June 19, 1982.  Twenty years to the day, Mrs. Allard and her family, allowed MADD RI to hold a special event to remember Denise and other victims and to say thank you to many individuals and organizations that have assisted MADD RI through the years.  It was called the MADD Hatter Tea Party, and was held at the Roger Williams Park Casino before a capacity gathering on June 19, 2002.

Dave Russell, MADD RI Development and PR Director, who worked with Mrs. Allard in forming the Chapter, presented her with a print of a Maxwell Mays painting depicting the Castle Hill Lightship and coast line.  It was significant because Mrs. Allard has given such great hope to so many families in need by virtue of her dedication in organizing the MADD RI Chapter.  Other special L.I.F.E. awards were given to many others for their Leadership, Initiative, Friendship, and Excellence in assisting MADD RI.  The new L.I.F.E. Program is explained in detail on other pages and we hope every reader will agree to participate.   

TeamSpirit, MADD RI's annual Youth Leadership conference and program, observed its 12th anniversary in July, 2002.  The conference is now so youth-driven that it is actually planned and conducted by former TeamSpirit teen leaders. For example, Brian Cordeiro, who has been involved with the program for several years, was at the TeamSpirit helm for the third straight year in 2002, assisted by numerous other experienced youth leaders.  TeamSpirit 2003 is set for July 21-24, at Bryant College. 

All of RI's youth alcohol prevention programs have been greatly enhanced by grants from the RI Division of Substance Abuse, with MADD RI as the contractor, to conduct programs that will train youth and adults in environmental strategies to prevent underage drinking. Gabrielle Abbate, MADD RI Executive Director, is the coordinator assisting MADD RI's TeamSpirit leaders and program participants to accomplish the goal. Brenda Amodei, Coordinator for The Initiative to Combat Underage Drinking, works closely with Gabrielle in all aspects of the program.