Attention News Editor:

News Release                         For Immediate Release

                                                                                                              November 1, 2007

Bagging for Charity:  MADD wants shoppers to “Tie One On”

Don’t forget to put the eggs on top!

Members and volunteers of MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) Grey North Bruce Chapter will be bagging groceries, accepting voluntary donations, and handing out red ribbons at area grocery stores on Saturday, November 3, from 11am-2pm. This event will kick off the annual Project Red Ribbon campaign.

November marks the start of MADD Canada’s Project Red Ribbon campaign, designed to combat drinking and driving during the holidays. MADD wants people to tie a red ribbon to their car antenna, side mirror or other visible location on their vehicle or keychain. The MADD ribbon is a symbol of a person’s commitment to drive safe and sober during the holiday season and throughout the year. The ribbon also serves as a reminder to other motorists to drive sober.

The funds raised during Project Red Ribbon support the very important year-round work by the local MADD chapter:

• helping victims of impaired driving crashes find appropriate support services in the community
• providing presentations to local schools
• partnering with and funding community groups that wish to hold an event related to drinking and driving education
• providing funding to local police for programs that can help both decrease the incidence of impaired driving and increase the ease with which the police can enforce the laws
• monitoring court proceedings and lobbying for changes in laws around impaired driving offenses

Every day, on average, four Canadians are killed and 187 are injured due to alcohol and drug-related crashes. Approximately 70,000 Canadians are impacted by impaired drivers annually. MADD Canada works to reduce these numbers.

“MADD is not only committed to preventing injuries and saving lives, but to helping victims of this violent crime,” says Danielle Court-Harman, Public Health Nurse and MADD Grey North Bruce Project Red Ribbon coordinator. “By tying-on a red ribbon you can help increase awareness and prevent impaired driving over the holiday season.”

Plan to shop at one of the following stores on Saturday, November 3, from11am to 2pm, and receive your red ribbon to show your support for MADD:

Owen Sound – Zehrs, 1150 16^th Street East.

Meaford – Bill’s Valu-Mart, Highway 26.

Wiarton – Solway’s Food Market, 370 William Street.

Hanover – Food Basics, 223 7^th Avenue.

MADD Canada’s largest public awareness campaign is taking place across Canada now until the end of the first week of January.

Attachments: Media Photo/Interview Opportunity

For more information:

Danielle Court-Harman, Public Health Nurse

Project Red Ribbon Coordinator

MADD-Grey North Bruce Chapter

519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 ext. 467

d.court-harman@publichealthgreybruce.on.ca