The smell of salt water and the sounds of the beach were in the air on May 10 at the Orange County, California Walk Like MADD 5K walk where over $113,000 was raised to support MADD and its Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving.

More than 500 people came out to Huntington Beach, “Surf City USA” to enjoy a walk along the beach and support MADD. The day’s festivities kicked off with a pre-walk ceremony featuring remarks from California Assemblyman, Todd Spitzer, Orange Mayor, Carolyn Cavecche and Huntington Beach Councilman Gil Coerper. In addition to speaking, Cavecche presented a $1,000 check to MADD.

Demonstrations of an alcohol ignition interlock took place before and after the walk as well as tours of police SWAT vehicles and a demonstration by the Huntington Beach Fire Department of a Jaws of Life rescue.

MADD is actively supporting legislation currently being considered in the California State Assembly, AB 2784 sponsored by Assembly Member Mike Feuer, that would require all convicted drunk drivers, including those convicted for the first time, to install an alcohol ignition interlock on their vehicle.

Mark your calendar for the 2009 Orange County Walk Like MADD on Saturday, May 9, 2009 at Huntington City Beach.

We’ve uploaded some photos from the Walk Like MADD walk held in Dallas, TX on April 19, 2008.

Check them out!

Pictured here at the Dallas “Walk Like MADD” event is a demonstration of the breath alcohol ignition interlock device, which prevents a vehicle from being driven by a drunk driver. 

Mannequins decked out with Walk Like MADD t-shirts have been spotted at the Lucy stores in West Village in the Plaza at Preston Center as well as Banana Republic in Highland Park Village. Even some fake furry friends are getting in on the act with their own, pooch-sized Walk Like MADD t-shirts at The Yap in West Village.

Why are these faux friends making a statement with the hottest t-shirts in town? They are doing their part to help spread the word about MADD of North Texas’ signature 5k family fun run, Walk Like MADD, which will take place on Saturday, April 19 at Williams Square in Las Colinas. Funds raised help further MADD’s life-saving mission to assist victims of drunk driving, legislation to help prevent it, and technology to keep our roads safer.

Help MADD Eliminate Drunk Driving by participating in Walk Like MADD.

A big congratulations goes out to MADD’s North Carolina Walk Like MADD team, local volunteers and the hundreds of walkers who raised nearly $85,000 on Saturday, March 29 to help support MADD programs.

The money raised exceeded the pre-event goal by $5,000, despite some cold, windy and rainy weather that may have kept some walkers away. But a little weather didn’t keep the walk from becoming very successful.

On hand in Raleigh were U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole, a long-time MADD supporter and honorary chair of the day’s events, MADD’s National President Glynn Birch, MADD CEO Chuck Hurley and other dignitaries.

Live demonstrations of alcohol ignition interlock devices were also conducted, and a pre-event “Pedi Party” helped build a lot of excitement among the walkers.

Finally, the local media made a strong showing as well,giving Walk Like MADD some good pre- and post-event publicity.

Here are some links:

Walk Like MADD to aid group’s efforts

Hundreds ‘Walk Like MADD’ Against Drunk Driving

Raleigh Residents Walk Like ‘MADD’ To Raise Money

Click here to see all the Raleigh Walk Like MADD photos!

MADD recently asked resident of Raleigh, NC about their thoughts on drunk driving, and we’ve have just posted a video on YouTube with some of their comments.  By the way, Raleigh’s Walk Like MADD fundraising walk takes place on Saturday, March 29, so if you live in that area and want to get involved, you can sign up here. 

Mothers Against Drunk Driving is launching this new “Walk Like MADD” blog today to share what’s going on with MADD’s annual 5K fundraising walks. We want to encourage a dialogue with people who have been touched by drunk driving and underage drinking, and are motivated to do something about it.I mention “motivation,” because it’s a complex human emotion that organizations like MADD rely on every day in their volunteer and fundraising efforts.But honestly, motivation by itself is not enough to make a difference. Having a personal passion to affect change is more often the force behind actions that separates those who merely have strong opinions, from people who do something that makes a real difference.Walk Like MADD is personally among my favorite and most important fundraising and awareness-building events of the year. MADD will host 30 walks across the US in 2008, which is likely to involve thousands of people who are motivated to act.Last year, our walk (previously called Strides for Change) raised $1.62 million, and we aim to increase this exponentially every year in order to better serve victims/survivors and to further our Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving.By the way, every dollar raised in our local Walk Like MADD cities goes directly back into the community to fund victim’s services, support for enforcement, advocacy for ignition interlocks and other key legislative initiatives and research-based efforts to prevent underage drinking.If you’re motivated — and passionate — enough to help eliminate drunk driving, visit our Walk Like MADD website to find a local walk near you. Stop talking about it and get involved. Even if drunk driving has never touched you personally, you never know when it might. I know the experience firsthand, and it’s nothing short of devastating.We welcome your thoughts and comments about Walk Like MADD. Please note that multiple MADD staffers will be contributing to this blog, and all comments will be moderated.– Glynn Birch, MADD National President