Support Walk Like MADD, or Mothers Against Drunk Driving, on Sept. 28. The event included 162 runners, 191 walkers, 18 dogs, 65 volunteers and two goats who took 3.514 million steps. But it’s not over. Donations to support Walk Like MADD will remain open until Nov. 28 to reach the goal of $60,000.
You can still join 32 teams and 16 financial sponsors to help support victims and fund awareness programs for 15,000 students a year (In fact, donations are welcome all year long). Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman Rice & Purtz have sponsored the walk for the past two years and has committed to sponsoring next year’s walk planned for Sept. 26, 2020.
“As a personal injury firm, we deal with terrible tragedies from drunk driving, and this is really our chance to give back to MADD, help MADD help those who are involved as victims as well as try to prevent drunk driving,” said Christopher Smith, partner and firms team leader for the event. The team through individual participants raised $1,500 in addition to the firm’s presenting sponsorship.
The Support Walk Like MADD event, which included honoring survivors, 48 victims and 79 members of law enforcement, featured canine Deputy Chance and search and rescue dogs Maggie and Mercy, important in drunk or drugged driving crashes because the dogs can search for the offender and help find victims who may have been ejected from their vehicle.
Support Walk Like MADD
Established in 2013, MADD SWFL provides free programs to over 15,000 people annually in the Southwest Florida community through its underage drinking prevention initiatives, its campaign to eliminate drunk driving, tie one on for safety campaign and DUI offender education. In addition, the local MADD chapter supports law enforcement, hosting an annual law enforcement recognition program and free DUI training benefiting over 300 local law enforcement professionals. Most importantly, MADD SWFL supports victims and survivors of drunk, drugged and substance-impaired driving crashes, providing over 1,500 free services annually, facilitates grief and community groups and holds an annual a tribute event.
CLICK HERE for information on how to donate.