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Programs and Activities

Victim Services are available to assist those who have been impacted by a drunk driving crash, be it an injury or fatality. We have both staff and volunteer victim advocates trained and certified by our National organization available to work with Long Island families through our monthly support group, individual support, court accompaniment, as well as our Annual Candlelight Vigil, Crime Victim Week memorial, photo Board of Rememberance and Garden of Awareness.

Victim Services

Legislative Initiative on matters concerning drinking and driving such as Leandra's Law that passed with MADD's assistance in December 2009 The law requires interlocks for all DWI offenders and enhances child endangerment laws by making it a felony to drive with a child under 15 in the car while drunk. MADD Long Island works closely with our local, state and federal legislators to raise awareness encourage and support legislation that will assist us in achieving our mission to stop drunk driving. MADD Long Island also supports Social Host legislation as well as the continuation of the 21 drinking age across the country which saves over 1000 young lives every year. When legislation is pending we send legislative updates and instructions on how to contact your elected officials to those on our email list. Periodically, we organize Lobby Days in Albany and Washington DC. To add your email address to our legislative alert list, email us at longisland.ny@madd.org or nyc.ny@madd.org.

High Visibility Law Enforcement is a priority in both Nassau and Suffolk Counties. MADD Long Island volunteers work with district attorneys, attend police check points, support law enforcement initiatives as well as distribute "Drive Sober" window clings. We encourage saturation patrols and attend press conferences on DWI efforts in support of our police and district attorneys. MADD Long Island also distributes materials to the Judges who hear DWI cases to help them stay abreast of the latest information on ignition interlocks. We hold an annual Law Enforcement Recognition Luncheon and write letters of commendation to those officers and precincts that are on the forefront of drunk driving and 21 Law enforcement.

Law Enforcement Recognition

Fund and Friend Raising is the engine that drives all of these programs. The premier event is our Walk Like MADD each Spring, which combines fundraising with awareness and friendly outreach to the community and all those impacted by drunk driving. The event is planned as a fun and healthy affair for the entire family with live entertainment, food, prizes and even a location to have fun with your dogs. Walk Like MADD also has an area set aside for victims to come and meet each other, to talk and be comforted.

Fundraising

Community Awareness Programs - MADD Long Island has year round drunk driving awareness programs using a variety of tools such as colorful car window clings, ribbon magnets, lawn signs and other materials to signify a person's pledge to drive safe and sober. These materials, placed on your vehicle or displayed on your lawn send the powerful message - "Drive Sober." MADD Long Island also sponsors a roadside billboard campaign periodically to bring the message to millions of Long Islanders. In addition we are asked to participate in school and community events with awareness tables where information is distributed. If you would like window clings, magnetic ribbons, lawn signs or to otherwise get involved with our awareness programs as a volunteer, please email us at longisland.ny@madd.org or NYC.NY@madd.org.

Educational Programs

POWER OF PARENTS, IT'S YOUR INFLUENCE

DRIVER EDUCATION

SPEAKERS

• In Nassau County, request the Choices and Consequences Program from the District Attorney's office at (516) 571-2918
• In Suffolk County, contact the Stop DWI office for a speaker for your school assembly at (631) 853-5720
• Or call MADD Long Island at (631) 547-6233
• In all cases please give at least 3 months lead time

Leandra's Law Cards - Leandra's Law is named after 11 year old Leandra Rosado who was killed in October 2009 when the adult driving her and her friends crashed the car on the Henry Hudson Parkway in NYC. The driver was arrested for DWI. This followed the horrific "Taconic Crash" in which 8 people were killed, 4 of them children. Mr. Rosado, Leandra's father, quickly teamed with MADD, Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., Assemblman Harvey Weisenberg and the Governor to pass this legislation on child endangerment and ignition interlocks. The resulting "Leandra's Law" elevates the crime of drunk driving with a child in the car to a Class E felony punishable up to 4 years in prison; if the child is injured, 7 years; and if killed, 15 years. It also mandates ignition interlocks for the cars of all convicted DWI offenders for a minimum of 6 months.

MADD Long Island has produced a wallet size card explaining Leandra's Law in the hope that if people know about these greatly increased consequences of driving drunk, it will dissuade them from doing so.

The cards a free for distribution in schools, at community events, through organizations, etc. We also ask that you give one to anyone you may know who may be prone to drinking and driving. You could save their lives and the lives of others.

Contact us at LongIsland.NY@madd.org and tell us what you would like the Leandra's Law Cards for and how many you need.

Victim Impact Panels are lectures mandated by the probation department of each county for all convicted DWI offenders. The presentation is given by MADD Long Island volunteers who are victims of drunk driving crashes. The hope is that these offenders will come to understand the horrible outcome of drunk driving and will not become repeat offenders.

Support 21 is a program to prevent underage drinking and keep the current age for drinking at 21, a policy that saves 1,000 lives of young people each year. We also encourage police enforcement of the 21 Law with retailers.

Support21

Community Outreach is driven by legislators, fire departments and other community organizations that hold events focused on individual and community health and safety issues. These are all staffed by volunteers.

Volunteer