MADD Kick Off Party Sponsored by AutoNation & La Croix

MADD celebrated its upcoming May 4^th annual signature walk event with a kick-off party sponsored by AutoNation and La Croix on March 5. At the party, which served as a “pep rally” for participants and sponsors, guests enjoyed a silent auction, light bites and “mock-tails” created by La Croix.

MADD supporter Tony Segreto, the former WTVJ-NBC 6 anchor, emceed the event and reminded everyone of their ethical duty to be a responsible driver before introducing MADD Fort Lauderdale chairperson Heather Geronemus, who shared with the audience of 100 guests her touching story on her personal connection with MADD.  Her father, Dr. Robert Perry Geronemus, was struck and killed by a drunk driver in 2009.  Roseanne Martinez, the mother of a 16-year old who was killed by a drunk driver as she backed out of her own driveway, moved the crowd to tears with her story.

Honorary event chairperson Susan Israel and kick-off chairperson Maggie Gunther were also applauded for their tireless energy and contributions to MADD.

WALK like MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) takes place in more than 60 cities around the U.S. with thousands of participants walking – or dashing – in 5K events to bring awareness to the perils of drunk-driving. The Fort Lauderdale MADD chapter and donors will lace up their sneakers on Saturday, May 4 at Huizenga Plaza in downtown Fort Lauderdale. To register for Walk like MADD, please visit http://bit.ly/WLMFTL.  

ABOUT MADD
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. MADD also supports drunk and drugged driving victims and survivors at no charge, serving one person every nine minutes through local MADD victim advocates and at 1-877-MADD-HELP.  In South Florida, the chapter’s annual Walk Like MADD and MADD Dash have raised more than $250,000 in three years. MADD’s Broward and Palm Beach chapters facilitate dozens of free events each year to educate youth and parents on the dangers and consequences of impaired driving.  Learn more at www.madd.org or by calling 1-877-ASK-MADD.