Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Walk Like MADD - Saturday, September 27 - Ely Square

As Mayor of Elyria, the mother of four, and the 2014 Honorary Chairperson of the Greater Cleveland Walk Like Madd event, it is my great privilege to invite you and yours to Elyria’s beautiful, historic downtown Ely Square on Saturday, September 27 to participate in northeast Ohio’s premiere opportunity to stop drunk driving and support the victims of this violent crime.

This year, you can be one of thousands of caring citizens in over 60 cities around the nation to participate in 5K events to eliminate drunk driving from our roadways.  There are many ways to get involved.  You and your co-workers or friends can create a walking team, be an event sponsor, make an online donation, or volunteer.  Will you please join us?  You can pre-register for the Walk Like Madd event in Elyria online at www.walklikemadd.org/cleveland.  Pre-registration is $20.00 and you will receive a T-shirt.  Registration the morning of the event is $25.00.  Day-of-event registration opens at 8:30am, with walkers starting at 9:00am - Noon.  Your 5K walk will involve a picturesque stroll down historic tree-lined streets, with a view of the Black River and waterfalls and some of Elyria’s finest homes. 
And while the morning promises to be pleasant, the cause could not be more serious.  MADD provides victim services annually to over 61,000 victims and survivors nationwide; that’s outreach at no charge every 8.6 minutes.  Unfortunately, most of us know: first there’s the crash, then there is the lifelong impact.  In my own experience, MADD has helped several families close to me get through some of the toughest times anyone can imagine.  Moreover their education and advocacy efforts have saved an estimated 300,000 lives.  MADD’s support of high visibility law enforcement, ignition interlock devices, sobriety measurement technology and underage drinking outreach and education is making a difference. 

Please join me in becoming part of the solution by supporting the Greater Cleveland Walk Like Madd event September 27 in historic Ely Square.  For more information, please contact MADD Northern Ohio Executive Director Julie Leggett at (216) 265-9229 or email Julie at Julie.leggett@madd.org.  I look forward to seeing you in September!
Sincerely,

Holly C. Brinda
Mayor