More walkers helped increase funds raised by 57 percent over last year
The 6th Annual Walk Like MADD and MADD Dash were recently held at Northshore Park in The Woodlands to raise funds and awareness for Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). The event this year, which was sponsored by Mercedes-Benz of The Woodlands, raised a total of $54,907 for MADD in Southeast Texas. That represents a 57 percent increase in funds raised over last year.
The success of this year’s event is due in part to a 24 percent increase in participation, with more walkers and new walking teams. “It was an amazing event,” said Heather Smith, Special Events Manager for MADD Southeast Texas Affiliate. “The park was full and it was a great day to raise awareness while honoring those affected by drunk and drugged driving.” This marks the first year that Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputy Brandon Bartoskewitz served as event chairman. “Brandon did an awesome job in his first year as the chair of the event,” Smith said.
The event featured more than 70 law enforcement vehicles with officers showing their support for MADD and its mission to end drunk driving. “The middle of the park was full of team tents decorated in honor of their loved ones,” Smith said, “and to the sides were law enforcement tents and vendors passing out information.”
Awards were presented to teams and walkers raising the most funds and to teams with the most participants. A first-year team, Herman’s Heroes, named for Constable Mark Herman, raised more than $5,000. Team Candice was a close second with $4,975 in donations, and the team coming in third was Team MoCo S.O. (Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office), which raised $3,411.
The top individual fundraisers were also honored at the event. Kendra Wise was the number one fundraising walker. She raised $3,477 in honor of her daughter Candice, who was killed by a drunk driver in 2015. James Blackledge, the team captain for Herman’s Heroes, came in second with a total of $2,461 raised, and the third place went to Steve Breeding, with donations of $1,383.
“Awards were also presented to the teams with the highest number of walkers,” Smith said. The biggest team was Campbell Cares, with 75 employees and family members participating. Team Candice had 36 walkers and Herman’s Heroes had 35.
The fundraising goal for Walk Like MADD 2016 is $60,000. “We are so close to reaching our goal this year,” Smith said, “and it’s not too late to donate.” Smith is encouraging people to continue to support MADD in Southeast Texas by making a donation at www.walklikemadd.org/thewoodlands. The website will remain up through November, 15. All funds raised through Walk Like MADD in The Woodlands stay in Southeast Texas and are used for victim support, outreach and youth education programs to increase awareness and prevent drunk driving. Smith said, “I just want to thank everyone who came out to support MADD and our mission to end drunk and drugged driving and honor the victims of these violent crimes.”