Red ribbon campaign kicks off on Friday
By GEORGE PARASKEVOPOULOS
NORTHERN NEWS
November 5, 2008

TEMISKAMING SHORES-Mother's Against Drinking and Driving (MADD) will kick off their Red Ribbon Campaign on Friday November 7 at 10 a. m. at the City of Temiskaming Shores City Hall.

The red ribbon campaign is a nation-wide project that has been running since the inception of MADD 20 years ago. This is the sixth year for the red ribbon campaign for the local chapter of MADD in the Temiskaming area that covers south of Temagami to just north of Englehart.

The Red Ribbon Campaign is an annual event that runs from November 1st to the first Monday after New Year's.

"The flying of the Red Ribbon is a commitment by Canadians to drive sober," MADD president Rob Clouston said

"It is a highly visible, community public awareness program that is dependent upon volunteer participation for its success. The red ribbon campaign promotes the message that deaths and injuries resulting from impaired driving are needless tragedies that can be preventable.

"The flying of the red ribbon is a simple public display and sign of respect for the thousands of Canadians who have been either killed or injured by drunk drivers," Clouston said.

The public is encouraged to support the red ribbon project by tying a red ribbon in a visible location on your vehicle.

MADD has chosen this particular time to run the program because of the holiday season when drinking is more prevalent. Ribbons with the MADD logos and collection boxes will be distributed to many outlets throughout the Tri-Town area. All funds that are collected stay within the local MADD chapter and are used in the area to combat drinking and driving.

Approximately 6 million ribbons were distributed in 2007, up from the 50,000 given out during the first campaign. There are 40 plus MADD Chapters across Canada with Temiskaming being one of the newest.

"The death toll from drinking and driving is falling," says Clouston, "but there's plenty of room for improvement."

For further information on the Red Ribbon Campaign or any other MADD programs you can contact the Timiskaming MADD Chapter at (705) 672-5201,e-mail maddtemdongrosz@ntl. sympatico.ca or call the national office at 1-800-665-6233.