MADD Long Island’s Walk Like MADD brought another large crowd this year, with over 54 teams and 1,300 walkers who raised over $163,000!  The walkers answered the call again this year, knowing that each step taken and pledge made saves lives from drunk driving. 

On a day that was supposed to be cloudy, we had the sun shine down as walkers celebrated the lives of the ones they’ve lost and raised awareness for the preventable and violent crime of drunk driving.  They walked around beautiful Farmingdale State College Campus and returned to enjoy the fun activities, including Ridgewood Savings Bank’s Guitar Hero Contest, the Top Dog Competition, Cotton Candy and Ralph’s Ices at the Wells Fargo tent, Photos with the many characters: GEICO’s Gecko, United Skates’ Skateasaurus and the State Farm Bear among many others.  Walkers collected great giveaways from Dave & Buster’s, Long Island Parent, Black Rose Productions and Health & Safety Vendors.  They caught t-shirts and beach balls thrown through the air, watched as the Suffolk County PD demonstrated breath testers and turned on their lights on their motorcycle, and learned about seat belt safety through Nassau County PD roll-over car.  A special shout out has to go out to the Walk’s Steering Committee for putting this whole thing together – so thank you Patrick, Joanna, Jane, Christine and the 60+ other volunteers who helped out!  We’re grateful for the large increase in corporate sponsorships this year, including GEICO, Long Island Radio Group’s KJOY and 94.3, Atlantic Hyundai, Wells Fargo’s Joseph Romagnuolo, Nikon, Estee Lauder, Pugatch & Nikolis, Ridgewood Savings Bank, BBA Photography, Dave & Buster’s, Planet Party Planners, South Bay’s Neighbor, Long Island Parent and Long Island Pulse!  And that’s just to name a few!It’s because of all those walkers and their stories that MADD Long Island works so hard to eliminate drunk driving, and because of all of them that the Walk was such a success!  Until next year!