The California state office of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) will host its signature fundraising walks across California in person and virtually beginning Sept. 18 and continuing through Nov. 6, 2021.
The 5K walk events raise funds and rally support for MADD’s critical Community Services and Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving. Funds go directly to MADD’s lifesaving mission in California and enable the organization to provide necessary victim services to those affected by drunk and drugged driving. The MADD Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving calls for high-visibility traffic safety enforcement, ignition interlocks or “in-car breathalyzers” for all convicted drunk drivers and support for the development of advanced drunk driving prevention technology.
Walk Like MADD has three main components:
• Remember: We walk for those who no longer can and alongside those who are learning to walk again.
• Inspire: We walk empowered even when we feel powerless, as survivors when we have been victimized, and with purpose when we have lost our way.
• Commit: We walk with supporters who share our vision of No More Victims.
“We walk to finish the job that was started by a grieving mother in 1980. Now in our 41st year, MADD has saved more than 400,000 lives and has served more than 840,000 victims,” said Pat Rillera, California State Executive Director. “Walk Like MADD will raise mission-critical funds to help save lives across California.”
In 2019, 949 people in California were killed in drunk driving crashes. Nationwide, more than 10,000 lives were lost due to drunk driving, and another 290,000 people were injured in drunk driving crashes. In fact, two in three people will be affected by a drunk driving crash in their lifetime. Walk Like MADD gives victims and survivors a safe place to remember their loved ones and help raise mission-critical funds to help save lives and serve victims in California.
In person and virtual Walk Like MADD events will take place in more than 90 cities across the country this year. Registration is $20 for those ages 5-21, and $25 for those 21 and over.
There are other ways to participate in Walk Like MADD if attendance is not possible: Donate – Give to a participant or a team to help them reach their fundraising goals; Sponsor – Consider becoming an official event partner. They have a variety of packages, and every dollar goes towards making the community safer.
For more information regarding a Walk Like MADD virtual walk event, visit your local area to register, donate or get more information. You can complete your 5k by walking or running in your own neighborhood, community and parks anytime from now through Nov. 6. Walkers and runners are encouraged to post videos and pictures of their 5K and tag @MADDCalifornia #OneMADDCalifornia on Facebook and/or Instagram.
Founded in 1980 by a mother whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is the nation’s largest nonprofit working to end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes and prevent underage drinking. MADD has provided supportive services to nearly one million drunk and drugged driving victims and survivors at no charge through local victim advocates and the 24-Hour Victim Help Line 1-877-MADD-HELP. Visit www.madd.org or call 1-877-ASK-MADD.
