MADD Colorado would like to express its appreciation this month by honoring MADD Colorado’s Northern State Farm volunteers. These volunteers include: Cindy Dalpra, Denise Sweigard, Jennifer Martinez, Jill Rettele, Kathy Tafoya, Katrina Darbin, Lori Stutts, Lynn Riggert, Mary Nelson, Melissa McDonald, Mona Riofrio, Patty Lobato, Penny Jojola, Teresa Shea, Michelle Johnson, Danette Ray, Larry Kawa, Babette Basliier, Tammy Reinick, Jan Makowski, Connie Hughey, Harriet Brotemarkle, Jennifer Von Feldt, Emily Kleinsasser, Alivine Martinez and Lori Griego.  Their company, State Farm, supports employees who complete 40 hours or more of volunteer work per year with $500 grants each. MADD Colorado annually receives approximately $3500 or more to support the supplies needed for their efforts in Northern Colorado . They support MADD Colorado at both the Greeley and Ft. Collins Victim Impact Panels though facilitation and registration of attendees, at DUI Checkpoints in Weld and Larimer County , and at Health and Safety Fairs, like Tailgate the Safety Way .  The also, had a Walk Like MADD team and coordinated with Larimer County DUI Task Force which raised over $1200 this past year.

Commander Paul Wood for the Weld County Sheriff Department had this to say about the Northern State Farm volunteers; I think a point I would like to make is I have been totally surprised and amazed by the dedication of your MADD Volunteers at our Checkpoints.  Conducting DUI Checkpoints is sometimes hard to maintain a high level of enthusiasm to the participants.  However, many law enforcement officers get revved-up when MADD Volunteers assist at our Checkpoints.  As you know, this is not the most glamorous volunteer jobs; checkpoints are usually held at night and often in conjunction with some sort of holiday (two strikes against them from the start).  The positive and enthusiastic MADD Volunteers coming to our Checkpoints have been a definite morale booster to those of us working them.  Your volunteer “angels” show up with smiles, willingness to help and food; all are sought-after commodities for those of us in law enforcement.  I have noticed that a strong desire of your volunteers to assist at Checkpoints in many different ways to be extremely high, and this does make them an asset to a Checkpoint operation.  Also, the commitment of your volunteers to take an active role in attempting to make a difference is very refreshing.  I have noticed that some of volunteers have been personally affected by drunk driving and others have not – but the level of dedication is the same for both.  My many thanks to MADD and its wonderful volunteers, and they will be welcomed at any Checkpoint that my agency is involved with in Weld County !

When asked why Cindy Dalpra volunteers for MADD Colorado she said; “Volunteering for MADD is my passion.  I believe in the mission and purpose of MADD. I have always felt that your actions speak louder words.  By being involved and volunteering, I’m letting my actions speak for me.  I want to be known for what I do, not for what I believe in.  I feel we make a difference even if it is only one person at a time.”  

MADD Colorado would also like to highlight Cindy Dalpra and Kathy Tafoya for their leadership, guidance and coordination of volunteer projects in Northern Colorado . Thank you Northern Colorado State Farm volunteers for your dedication, commitment and thousands of hours of volunteer service.

Please click here to nominate a MADD Colorado volunteer to be featured in MADD Colorado’s monthly MADD Matters Newsletter under the Volunteer Spotlight feature.