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LI MADD's Strides for Change to combat drunk driving
"There's always an emptiness," said Strow, the founder of the Long Island Mothers Against Drunk Driving. "You always wonder what would she be doing? Would she be a teacher, a mom, a buyer for Macy's?" It was the tragedy of her daughter's loss that prompted Strow into action more than 25 years ago. "There were the groups for grieving families, but I wanted to do something different," she recalls. "We wanted to be active in an organizations whose mission was obsolescence. We wanted to get drunk drivers off the roads." MADD, whose first chapter was formed in California, and now has hundreds of chapters across the country, has been responsible for changes in law and changes in attitude about drunk driving. "These are not accidents," points out Strow who continues to help raise public awareness about drunk driving and its tragic results. "And, we can't treat them as if they are." On Sunday, June 3, MADD is holding its signature 5K walk, Strides for Change, on the Great Lawn at Farmingdale State College. The event begins at 10:30 a.m. A non-competitive walk, the walk enables corporations and individuals to team up with MADD in keeping children and communities safe. Sponsored nationally by Nissan, and locally by Long Island businesses, the event is a fun, healthy and safe way for local communities to come together to save lives and prevent injuries, said the organizers. An estimated 17,000 people were killed and half a million were injured nationwide in drunk driving accidents in 2003. "This event and others like it help to educate the public and save lives," said Strow. "That means everyone from the bartender to the doorman to the larger community has to do their part." "I can think of no better way for businesses and individuals to come together and help keep our community safe than by participating in supporting Strides for Change," said Denna Cohen, the current chapter president. "Walkers and their pledge supporters are the key ingredients in securing the funds necessary to benefit MADD's lifesaving mission." For Strow, that mission is clear. "In the years since we started our organization, we have not achieved our goal of ending drunk driving," she said. "We thank God for the people who are still committed to doing that and look forward to the day that we can close our chapter down."
Anyone who would like to join the walk or get more information can register at 33 Walt Whitman Rd., Suite LL7, Huntington Station, or call 631-547-6233. Information is also available online at stridesforchange.org.
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