MADD moves up the highway
Signs point the way to safe driving as Fort Simpson community leader gears up for 2016
April Hudson
Northern News Services
Thursday, April 7, 2016
LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
A little extra funding goes a long way for MADD community leader Sharon Allen, who recently put some unexpected funds to spread her message on the roadways and to young people.
Sharon Allen, a community leader for Mothers Against Drunk Driving, has plans for another highway sign in the Deh Cho. - NNSL file photo
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Allen has been the Fort Simpson spearhead for Mothers Against Drunk Driving for the past few years, advocating for safety behind the wheel.
Recently, Allen received $3,500 in funding to help her efforts through Liidlii Kue First Nation's Victim Services program.
That money will help her to expand her MADD programming in the Deh Cho, she said. Already, she has plans for a second highway sign which she hopes to erect at the turn-off to Fort Providence.
The first sign was installed near Fort Simpson in November.
Those signs, containing the MADD loco and contact information for Allen, show victims they are not alone. Allen said the newest sign will include information for the national headquarters.
"I don't think many victims are aware of the wonderful work MADD does in the aftermath of a crash," Allen said, adding victims who want to participate in a candlelit vigil, memorial or other method of working through their grief and remembering loved ones can receive help from the national organization.
Advocating safety to youth
Some of the $3,500 will go toward non-alcoholic drinks purchased from MADD which Allen intends to donate to graduates of Thomas Simpson Secondary School this summer. Allen currently sits on the graduation committee.
"I came up with that idea when we had our graduation meeting," she said, adding she had seen the drinks offered during a MADD conference and thought it was a great idea.
"It's an alternative to alcohol ... (We're) trying to bring awareness to our youth and show them another way to celebrate."
Non-alcoholic drinks offered by MADD include virgin champagnes and virgin cocktails.
Unlike Project Red Ribbon, which Allen has participated in twice, other campaigns bringing awareness to MADD don't get the same level of funding from the organization.
Allen said the organization normally contributes paraphernalia for Project Red Ribbon but community leaders and volunteers are usually on the hook to cover other costs, such as advertisements or posters.
Summer programming
Allen said another MADD initiative she wants to bring to Fort Simpson this summer is Strides for Change, a five-kilometre walk designed to raise money for organization chapters and community leaders.
Many chapters hold their event in early June but Allen said she has yet to nail down an exact date for Fort Simpson's walk.
"I'll probably hold it between June and the beginning of July," she said.
"I'm hoping to get geared up for that."
