Mothers Against Drunk Driving is hosting a 5k walk in Clemson on Sept. 27 to raise awareness about the impacts of drunk and drugged driving.
MADD is a non-profit organization whose mission is to end drunk driving tragedies through educating the public on its effects and fighting for the enactment of laws prohibiting driving under the influence.
Melissa Neel, MADD’s event manager, described the event as an “awareness walk,” and ultimately, a way for people to educate themselves and understand the consequences of drunk and drugged driving.
Neel decided to become more involved in the organization after meeting different people who had been impacted and hearing devastating stories. She hopes that through people attending the walk, they can also better understand the importance of bringing awareness to the topic.
“We want people to come out and learn and understand the impacts of what impaired driving can do,” Neel told The Tiger in an interview.
The event will begin with a welcoming ceremony focusing on bringing attention to numerous victims of drunk driving fatalities and recognizing numerous sponsors.
During the ceremony, victims are recognized during a calling of names — the names of people killed or injured from driving under the influence — in front of everyone attending, with the name then repeated aloud. This allows everyone attending to learn the names of the victims they are walking for.
Additionally, the victim wall displayed at the event will show pictures of victims of a drunk driving incident.
The venue will include a multitude of team tables dispersed throughout. At each table, people who have lost a loved one honor their memory by laying out the victim’s favorite things, allowing others to personally learn about the victim’s life.
Finally, an honor family will be present at the walk. The family will have the opportunity to share their personal story about MADD’s mission.
Even though the walk brings awareness to a heavy and heartbreaking topic, Neel highlighted that the event planners found a way to make it light-hearted by including games to play and temporary tattoos to use.
The goal of including these games and fun activities is to make people feel comfortable when learning about the tragedies that are shared throughout the experience.
The money raised throughout the event will be donated to the victims’ families. MADD serves families by helping with funeral costs, everyday needs such as groceries and other expenses.
MADD wants as many students to come to the event as possible to hear firsthand stories about people who have been affected by driving under the influence.
In 2024, South Carolina was named the worst state in the country for drunk driving according to a study conducted by the Simrin Law group, with 43% of traffic fatalities caused by drunk drivers.
“This percentage significantly exceeded the national average of 32%,” an article by Greenville News states.
To help students further understand the purpose of this walk and MADD’s mission, students have the opportunity to get involved in a variety of ways, even if they had not previously been involved with MADD.
Students and other attendees are free to contribute to the victim wall by sending in a picture of someone they know, in addition to including a loved one in the calling of names. Everyone who attends also has the chance to meet with a victim’s advocate if they have lost a loved one.
With the incentive of helping as many students as possible to come to the event, MADD is offering a 50% student discount. Student tickets cost $15, while general admission costs $30. To activate the discount, use code GO TIGERS at checkout.
“We want to get as many people out there as we can,” Neel told The Tiger. “Anybody who wants to come, we want them to come.”
If anyone has a family member who has been affected and would like to have their loved one honored, email Neel at [email protected].
