Run Like MADD

The Walk Like MADD 5k Dash was a fundraiser hosted by MADD, or Mothers Against Drunk Driving, at Jordan Valley Park in the Downtown Springfield area on October 19, 2019 that members of Fair Grove’s National Honor Society volunteered at. The walk, an event to raise both awareness and funds, had an original goal of raising $20,000, and exceeded their goal by $164 with the help of the 201 people that participated in the 5k itself. 

MADD was founded by a mother in 1980 whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver, and is now the nation’s largest nonprofit organization that is actively working to put an end to drunk and drugged driving. MADD has made a large difference since it was founded, supporting 840,000 victims, survivors, and their families free of charge, as well as providing supportive services, such as a 24- hour victim hotline, in order to bring comfort to and acknowledge those affected by drunk driving. They use their hosted events, such as the 5k that took place in Springfield, to raise money for their organization, and have earned upwards of 3 million dollars.

Fair Grove’s National Honor Society volunteered in the 5k that took place in Springfield, helping to set up before the run and check in the people who registered to participate, as well as cheering on runners and walkers as they traversed the route. This is the first year NHS has volunteered at a MADD event; Amy Johnson, head of the National Honor Society expresses, “ I think MADD is a great organization to get involved with.  Most people know someone personally or are familiar with someone that has been affected by a drunk driving accident.  This organization brings together people that have experienced suffering and lose and gives them an outlet to connect with others.”