March 2020 e-newsletter

@MADDOnline and its dedicated advocates are still here for you. We will continue to provide ongoing, supportive services to victims and survivors through our virtual platforms. Remember the MADD Helpline is always available 24 hours a day at 877.623.3435

Walk Like MADD - Richmond has gone virtual!

Follow us on MADD VA facebook and our MADD VA Blog for updates and ideas for participating and honoring your loved one virtually!

Save those Sneakers! Did you know that your school, business, church, etc. can collect used sneakers to raise money for MADD in VA? For more information about how when things get back to normal, contact Christopher.konschak@madd.org

Virginia General Assembly 2020

A number of bills related to impaired driving will become law as soon as the Governor signs off on them. The date they officially become law varies between July 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021.

Read about them on our blog.

PowerTalk 21

April marks MADD’s annual nationwide initiative encouraging parents and caregivers to have ongoing and intentional conversations with youth about alcohol. Visit PowerofParents.org to access our tools, including our updated teen and middle school parent handbooks. These parent handbooks were created based on the best information available to help parents talk to teens about alcohol and marijuana, keep them from driving impaired, and keep them from getting in a car with an impaired driver. We urge you not to underestimate how dangerous these activities are for your teen. By following the handbooks suggestions, you can help your teen make smarter, safer choices.

Through a partnership with the VA ABC, you can also access a free online Power of Parents presentation and handbooks at the VA ABC Website.

MADD’s New Newsletter for Law Enforcement

MADD now has a newsletter for law enforcement. You can see the inaugural issue here, the archives here (scroll to bottom of page) and sign up to receive it by email here.

Impaired Driving Stories in the News

3/22/20 Brenden Leech, 10, Amelia

3/22/20 Michael Whitecotton, 48, Spotsylvania

3/14/20 Keith Allen Shifflett, 41, Rockingham County

3/7/20 John Hughes, Jr., 54, New Kent County

3/3/20 Eric Counts, 45, Washington County

2/29/2 Silvio Reyes, 54, Hanover

MADD Around VA

Volunteers Lisa Black and Joshua Cagney spoke at the JMU Panhellenic Council in February. They are shown here with MADD VA Program Director Chris Konschak and 2 members of Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority.

Volunteer Migdalia Ruiz and her daughter Vinetta spoke about the loss of their daughter and sister Mikeshia at Centura College in Richmond.

Tammy Roy Duffy spoke at Centura College in Virginia Beach about the loss of her daughter Kaitlyn Duffy

In late February, the MADD Southside DUI simulator participated in the “Every 15 Minutes” program at Bayside High School in Virginia Beach

While social distancing, you can support MADD while ordering your supplies from Amazon by choosing MADD for Amazon Smile at smile.amazon.com. During this difficult time, your support counts more than ever.