NORTHERN VIRGINIA Chapter Newsletter: May 2004

Election Results

Congratulations to the 2004-2005 chapter officers, all of whom were elected at the chapter meeting on March 25th and will take office on July 1, 2004.

President: John Pinckney Vice President: Steven Hill Secretary/Treasurer: Jessica Wexler State Organization Representative: Jeff Levy

Have FUN and Volunteer
2004 Summer Wine Festivals
MADD volunteers will staff the Designated Driver Booths at Vintage Virginia on June 5 & 6 and at the Virginia Wine Festival on August 21 & 22. These booths give free soda to those festival attendees who choose not to taste wine. In exchange for helping out for a few.hours, volunteers get free admission to the festival. Only a few volunteer slots remain for the June event. So, if you are interested in helping at either of these fun activities, please call the chapter office at 703-379-1135 or email us at office@maddnova.org as soon as you can so that you won’t be disappointed.

PLEASE TELL YOUR FRIENDS
MADD has a vehicle donations program that benefits donors at tax time and helps us to provide quality services in Northern Virginia. Any car, any age, any condition. Call 703-779-7534 for information.

Drunk Driving in America

• Impaired driving is the most frequently committed violent crime in the U.S. (NHTSA, 2002)
• More than 17,000 people die in alcohol-related traffic crashes each year and another half a million are injured. (NHTSA, 2003)
• An estimated three of every ten Americans will be involved in a n alcohol-related traffic crash at some time in their lives. (NHTSA, 2000)
• Americans rank drunk driving as their Number One highway safety concern. (Allstate-MADD survey, 1997)
• Preliminary research for 2000 shows that alcohol- related traffic crashes cost the public an estimated $114.3 BILLION annually. (Miller, 2002)
• The societal costs of alcohol-related traffic crashes average 80 cents per drink consumed. (Miller, 1999)
• Approximately 1.5 million drivers are arrested annually for driving under the influence. (NHTSA, NCSA, 2000)

President’s Letter

Our Northern Virginia MADD Chapter welcomes a dedicated board member and past MADD Virginia State Organization Chair, John Pinckney, to the President’s position this summer. As John takes office, I will be returning to a very active life as a MADD volunteer –– the most vital role in every MADD chapter! Volunteers contribute in so many ways to our organization –– from victim advocacy to speaking, fundraising, and web page development –– the list is endless. Our volunteers are treasured –– without volunteers, we cannot accomplish our mission. Please consider volunteering some time with MADD. Your support truly does make a difference.

As this is my last newsletter as President, I would be remiss if I did not thank David Kelly, Terry & Teresa McCarthy, Diane Brown, John Pinckney, and Jeff Levy for their guidance over the past three years –– I sincerely appreciate your support and friendship. I’d also like to thank the office staff –– Mike Green, Jennifer Cipolla, and Noreen Dinndorf. Thank you for everything you do.

Please remember to designate a driver as you enjoy the spring and summer weather with friends and family. If you are hosting an event, please ensure that folks do not get behind the wheel after having too much to drink. And if you are interested in joining me this spring or summer as a chapter volunteer, please contact the office at 703-379-1135 or office@maddnova.org to volunteer!

Best regards,
Dan Ingram

Help Wanted!
Have you ever thought that you want to help MADD but don’t know how. There are a number of opportunities that can be designed to fit into your schedule. In addition to the events that require a large number of volunteers, there are many that need from one to about twenty people. Please look over this list and, when you see something that interests you, call the office at 703-379-1135 to get more information or to sign up.

• Court Monitor — observe and compile data about DUI cases as they proceed through the courts.
• Lobby & Legislation Assistant — follow legislation through committees.
• Hispanic Outreach — recruit Hispanic volunteers & locate Hispanic victims.
• Crash Car Trailer Spokesperson — accompany MADD Car Crash Trailer to public sites and answer questions.
• Red Ribbon Run Worker — assist with logistics of annual 5K race.
• Information Booth Worker — distribute literature and answer questions.
• Educational Outreach Speaker — give short educational presentations.
• Victim Speaker — use personalized presentations to educate the public.
• Fundraising Assistant — solicit funding and corporate sponsorships.
• Vehicle Donation Sign Mover — relocate A-frame signs.

You can also help by encouraging your company to become a Hole Sponsor. For a cost of only $500, your company can show its support of MADD’s mission and be a part of this growing tradition.

To make your reservation or to learn more about the tournament, call Terry McCarthy at 703-779-7534. You can make a difference!