Over 60,000 vehicles donated since 1998!

President of Michael Reese Enterprises, Inc. Daryl Alison, who also is a Deputy Sheriff for the County of Orange in California and long time advocate for Mother’s Against Drunk Driving, worked with the Orange County chapter of MADD in California to help find ways to raise funds for MADD’s Victim Services Programs without compromising their grass roots mission.

After months of research and numerous discussions with state and local officials, Mr Alison highly recommended the implementation of a Vehicle Donation Program as a new funding source for MADD.

Michael Reese Enterprises, Inc. and Mother’s Against Drunk Driving, partnering together to fight this violent crime and build safer communities.

25 Years of Saving Lives

Twenty-five years ago, a heartbroken mother made a pledge in her deceased daughter’s bedroom. She would do something about the outrage of drunk driving—a decision that quickly inspired a handful of grieving, determined mothers to join in the fight.

Though united in cause, they had no office, no money and no clout. In fact, all they had was sorrow, pluck and a picture of a pretty, 13-year-old girl killed by a
drunk driver. Yet they initiated one of the great grassroots successes in American history.

They were as their name suggests: MADD. As their fledgling organization grew, they stood toe to toe with politicians who knew
the stats but did not act. They took on a powerful industry that put profit over safety. They challenged a society that viewed drinking and driving as acceptable—even laughable. n And they caused a visceral reaction.

The getting there wasn’t easy. It was tough. It was messy. And it was fraught with obstacles. Yet MADD proved, time and time again, that it would not be bullied or derailed.

In fact, MADD blazed a trail that other organizations have since followed. They made hard, cold statistics come to life. They did not just say that drunk driving killed thousands and injured millions. They held up photographs—and described every nuance of their loved ones’ lives—to prove it.

As a result, a mountain of traffic safety and victims’ rights legislation has been passed. Annual alcohol-related traffic fatalities have dropped from an estimated 30,000 in 1980 to fewer than 17,000 today. And, perhaps most important, society no longer views drunk driving as acceptable.

Looking back over 25 years, it’s an amazing story. A grieving mother’s determination sparked a volunteer movement that swept the nation and has saved hundreds of thousands of lives. By Laurie Davies , Freelance Journalist

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