MADD Tennessee May Lose License Plate

Jun 06, 2014 at 04:45 am by bryan


Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Tennessee is in danger of losing a key funding piece that matches funds, enabling MADD TN to offer free victim services. Nationwide, over 10,000 people are killed—and 300,000 people are injured—in drunk driving crashes each year.

“Our MADD TN license plates are rolling billboards raising awareness about impaired driving and thousands of dollars to help MADD’s efforts in Tennessee,” noted volunteer Norris Skelley of Cookeville, Tennessee. Norris and his wife, Aline, were two of the chief volunteers that campaigned to get the MADD TN plate that went into production in 1997.

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If MADD TN fails to maintain a minimum of 500 plates in circulation by June 30, 2014 the plate will be retired and the organization will lose over $15,000 of annual funding, as well as the awareness that it creates. Currently, MADD TN needs approximately 60 plates to be purchased. The MADD plate costs $35, with $30.75 going towards MADD’s efforts to make Tennessee roadways safer.

MADD volunteers are urging concerned citizens across the state to step forward and make a MADD dash to their county clerk’s office to purchase a plate that will support MADD Tennessee’s work to save lives and serve victims.

State Program Director Kate Ritchie said, “I am very thankful to our faithful Tennessee volunteers and supporters, who made the license plate initiative possible and who are now reaching out to their family and friends to keep the MADD TN plate. Their dedication is inspiring. With 95 counties in Tennessee, we would exceed our goal if one person from each county purchased a plate. It’s proof that one person can make a change.”

About Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Founded by a mother whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver, Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) is the nation’s largest nonprofit working to protect families from drunk driving and underage drinking. With the help of those who want a safer future, MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving® will end this danger on America’s roads. PowerTalk 21® is the national day for parents to talk with their kids about alcohol, using the proven strategies of Power of Parents, It’s Your Influence® to reduce the risk of underage drinking. And as one of the largest victim services organizations in the U.S., MADD also supports drunk driving victims and survivors at no charge, serving on person every 8.6 minutes through local MADD victim advocates and at 1-877-MADD-HELP. Learn more at www.madd.org or call 1-877-ASK-MADD.

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