Myles Holland- 2019 WALK Like MADD Columbia Honor Family
On November 19th, 2017, Myles Holland was killed by an impaired driver in Orangeburg, SC. Myles and his girlfriend had just left the Claflin Homecoming game when Torbert Mack struck their vehicle. Myles died later at Orangeburg Regional Hospital. Since his death, Myles’ family has become a force to be reckoned with spreading the message to end drunk driving. They speak to various community groups about Myles and the lasting effects of driving while intoxicated. Early in 2018, the Holland family joined MADD’s efforts to stop drinking and driving.
After Myles’ death, the Holland family’s first steps were to get hand held breathalyzers into the Claflin Greek community. Claflin University is the school Myles attended and while there he pledged into the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. Protecting others in fraternities and sororities at Claflin was very important to the Holland family. Students could use disposable devices before heading out the door and driving. This effort falls under what the Holland’s have titled “The Myles Project”.
Soon after Myles’ death, Alphene Holland, Myles’ mother, reached out to MADD SC. Since then, Alphene and her family, have become staunch advocates for MADD’s mission. MADD has been invited to speak at Claflin as well as participated in the 2018 Claflin Homecoming Parade. When speaking to community groups or being interviewed by the media Alphene speaks of MADD’s mission to end drunk driving. For MADD’s 2018 Walk Like MADD in Columbia, Alphene’s family and friends were the highest fundraisers.
Because of their drive and determination, the Walk Like MADD Committee for Columbia elected the Holland family as the honor family for the 2019 Walk Like MADD Columbia. The Holland family with no doubt, accepted this honor with love and determination as they continue their mission of saving others through Myles.