The money raise primarily goes towards education costs, such as handouts, ribbons and the multimedia presentation that goes through the high schools. It also allows them to bring in guest speakers on occasion to the schools. Last year, they raised $1,500 from the charity game.
Last year the group was out doing awareness campaigns with the RCMP, and were out in force handing out ribbons and pamphlets to drivers before Christmas. A guest speaker was brought in to the high school last Spring, who was disabled from the waist down because of an accident with a drunk driver.
The past couple of months were spent planning for the upcoming year, and now the hockey game this weekend is the kickoff for their 2012 campaigns.
“We’re going to set up a large display (at the arena) with lots of information,” says MADD president Star Donovan. “All of it is education on drinking and driving. And not just drinking, but all forms of impaired driving”
In 2011, there were 18 impaired related charges in Queens County according to Queens RCMP.
They also use the money to send two people to the annual National Conference for Victims' of Impaired Driving held in Toronto. The weekend is a gathering of victims and law enforcement officers, where participants share their stories and learn tools to help them cope with the grief. This year, a police officer from Chester and a mother who lost her son to a drunk driver from Lunenburg County will be attending.
The local MADD chapter pays for the trip and accommodations, and Donovan says the experience is well worth it for those that attend. She says most members of the association have been through the program, since most members are also victims.
“Regardless of who you are, it’s quite a moving weekend,” she says.
The money goes towards a serious cause, but the evening is meant to be fun for everyone, says Donovan.
In addition to the game, there will be a silent auction, 50/50 draw, and other draws for attendees. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for students. The game starts at 6:30 p.m on Saturday March 10.
Where this is there big kick off for the year, Donovan says she hopes to see a big crowd out to support MADD and watch a great hockey game.
