Mothers Against Drunk Driving Takes Campaign to New Level and Asks Communities to Walk Like MADD

DALLAS, Feb. 12, 2008; In an effort to more closely align its signature fundraiser walk with its mission and its Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) today announced a new name for its 5K non-competitive walk -- Walk Like MADD -- with the call to action, "Let's Eliminate Drunk Driving." The walks, held each year in more than 30 cities nationwide, were formerly called Strides for Change.

"Walk Like MADD strongly conveys MADD's purpose and the spirit behind this family fun event," said Glynn Birch, national president of MADD, whose 21-month-old son was killed by a three-time repeat drunk driving offender. "Drunk Driving affects all walks of life and by walking we can do more to fight for victims' and survivors' rights, toughen enforcement and support the exploration and development of new technologies to keep drunk drivers off our streets."

According to Birch, the walks are an opportunity to bring the community together to better understand how their donations directly impact the elimination of drunk driving. Walk proceeds benefit MADD and its Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving, which includes support for sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols, support for ignition interlock for all drunk drivers, support for advanced technologies that make cars inoperable by a drunk driver and grassroots efforts to support all of the above.

In the five-year history of these 5Ks, the walks have encouraged families, office groups and friends to come together and have fun while making a difference for the cause. Walks include a number of kid friendly and teen-focused activities, including face painting, bounce houses and tours of police vehicles. Participants and guests also have the chance to hear live music, learn about ignition interlocks and other advanced technologies while contributing to MADD's mission.

Last year more than $1.2 million was raised in individual pledges and more than 100,000 people supported MADD's mission as a donor, volunteer and/or walker in these events.

To learn more about Walk Like MADD events around the country, visit www.walklikemadd.org.

About MADD

Founded in 1980, MADD's mission is to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking. MADD is a 501c(3) non-profit, grassroots organization with approximately 400 affiliates and 2 million members and supporters nationwide. For more information, please visit www.madd.org or call (800) GET-MADD.

The following cities will host a 2008 Walk Like MADD event scheduled across the country:

  El Paso, TX, March 22
  Raleigh, NC, March 29
  Baton Rouge, LA, April 5
  Indianapolis, IN, April 12
  Phoenix, AZ, April 26
  Dallas, TX, April 29
  San Antonio, TX, May 3
  Austin, TX, May 3
  Orange County, CA, May 10
  Richmond, VA, May 17
  Fairfax, VA, May 24
  Charlotte, NC, May 24
  Long Island, NY, June 1
  Baltimore, MD, June 7
  Minneapolis, MN, June 7
  Chicago, IL, June 7
  Hartford CT, June 8
  Milwaukee, WI, June 14
  Nashville, TN, June 21
  Tampa, FL, June 28
  Denver, CO, August 2
  Atlanta, GA, September 20
  Detroit, MI, September 27
  Houston, TX, September 27
  Lansing, MI, September 27
  Los Angeles, CA, September 27
  Boston, MA, October 4
  Philadelphia, PA, October 11
  San Diego, CA, October 11
  Albuquerque, NM, October 18 Cincinnati, OH, October 18
  Seattle, WA, June 28