MIAMI-DADE, Fla. – The Mothers Against Drunk Driving South Florida affiliate will be hosting its annual Walk Like MADD fundraiser Sunday at a public park in Miami-Dade County.
The fundraiser includes a 5K and a festival, where the Miami-Dade Police Department will be wowing children with their "BatMobile," police dogs and the the fire rescue helicopter.
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"Not only does [the event] pay tribute to victims and survivors, but [it also] educates the public about preventing future tragedies," said Janet Mondshein, executive director of the local chapter, in a statement.
The day-long festival at the park begins after the main 5K at 7:30 a.m., at Tropical Park, 7900 SW 40 St., west of South Miami. Those who don't want to run are welcome to walk the three miles. They have raised about $66,000, and their goal is to raise $100,000.
Mondshein added that 10,000 people die and about 300,000 are injured in the U.S. every year because of drunken drivers. The nonprofit, founded in 1980, aims to use most of the funds raised on strategies to lower those numbers. They have eight affiliates in Florida, and two are in Weston and Pinecrest.
They are currently advocating for a Florida law that would require suspected drunken drivers who refuse to submit to a chemical test to use an ignition interlock for at least a year. Only 22 states require ignition interlocks, which, according to MADD, can decrease repeat offenses by 67 percent.
Aside from launching education campaigns and advocating for victims' rights, the organization also provides support to families when tragedy strikes. To support their effort, visit the Walk Like MADD site or call Mondshein at 305-273-3744.
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