By: Vina MelaraOctober 18,2010

Mothers Against Drunk Driving

ABOUT THE FOUNDATION Twenty-five years ago, a heart broken mother made a

pledge in her deceased daughter’s bedroom. She would do something about the outrage of drunk driving—a decision that quickly inspired a handful of grieving, determined mothers to join in the fight.

And though united in cause, they had no office, no money and no clout. In fact, all they had was sorrow, pluck and a picture of a pretty, 13-year-old girl killed by a drunk driver. Yet they initiated one of the great grassroots successes in American history. n They were as their name suggests: MADD.

MISSION

TO AID THE VICTIMS OF CRIMES PERFORMED BY INDIVIDUALS DRIVE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS, TO AID THE FAMILIES OF SUCH VICTIMS AND TO INCREASE

PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE PROBLEM OF DRINKING AND DRUGGED DRIVING.

Program and Goal Mothers against Drunk Driving (MADD)

make significant progress on their mission to stop

drunk driving, serve the victims of this violent crime and prevent

under-age drinking. They are very grateful for everyone's support, and with sustained commitment,

they will be able to do more to save lives and help victims

impacted by drunk driving.

My personal connection

I have personally seen the effects of alcohol in many families, even

mine. Twenty years ago my cousin was coming from the beach in

the country of El Salvador and he got into a horrible car accident he

had taken some drinks. He lost control of his car on a curve and he

was ejected from it and died. He did not crashed with anyone else

and no one else got injured, but I could have been in that accident

as well. That morning he had offered to take me out with him and I

had said no.

Agency Name and Location

National Office is at:

CALIFORNIA STATE OFFICE/ GREATER SACRAMENTO AREA

4629 WHITNEY AVENUE #7

SACRAMENTO, CA 95821

Phone: (916)481-6233

Fax: (916)485-9623

Email: ca.state@madd.org

511 E. John Carpenter Freeway Suite 700 Irving

Need in the Community

Since their beginning, MADD has helped save more than 300,000 lives. While they are proud of their achievements, and salient amount of lives saved, they realize there is much more to be done. Last year, nearly 12,000 people lost their lives in drunk driving crashes, and another half million were injured.

INPUT

They also realize that their continued success depends on their shared passion and partnerships with key community partners in law enforcement just legislatures, schools, volunteer, donors, and all our other MADD advocates.

Problem in the Community

Until we stop drunk driving, our lives and the futures of those we love are vulnerable.

OUTPUT

MADD advocates increased law enforcement, ignition interlocks to prevent repeat offenders from driving, and grassroots supports from caring people like you.

Why I chose to help this cause

It is so easy to explicate the reason why I chose to help this cause. As a mother, wife, sister and friend I would hate to loose anyone I love, due to wreck less driving and careless behavior all due to drinking under the influence.

SUPPORT•MADD has a substantive selection of brochures for crash victims, available in English and Spanish, covering grief and healing, talking to children and teens about death, coping with serious injury, the criminal and civil court system, and other topics of interest.

OUTPUT• Grief brochures

• Injured brochures• Children brochures

• Teenager brochures• Legal brochures 

• Intervention brochures• and support.

LINK TO CRITICAL THINKING, READING

CT~By having people reflect about the effects of drunk driving.

To have people really think before drinking and driving.

CR~Stories shared by all the victims and read by teens and adults and parents are a great asset to reach out the community.

Critical Action

Donate now! MADDlifesaving work is possible because of caring people like you!!