A Resounding Success!
Under clear blue skies we gathered, we set up, we greeted, we Zumba’d, we walked (like MADD!), we remembered, we ate bananas, we won prizes, and broke records with our fundraising total. Mahalo Nui Loa to all sponsors and award and prize donors – you contributed to our financial success and our fun factor success – 1 in 5 attendees won a prize! Bagpipes, cheerleaders, and big band sounds provided the soundtrack to the day. Enjoy this 2:42-minute highlight video of the walk.
Making and hanging a Prayer Flag in memory of our loved ones lost to impaired driving crashes was especially poignant as the trade winds carried prayers out to sea. There were 5 Teams walking in memory of a loved one. Let us speak their names in remembrance:
- Azalia Park
- Brian Paulette
- Corey Iodice
- Kamalani Kalama
- TJ Nilsen
And 1 Team remembering the injured
- Lianna McCurdy
As of 9/28/2022 we have raised almost $117,000! We are extremely grateful for everyone’s support!
The highlight of the day was having Alex Otte, MADD National President, attend and speak at the event. Her story reminds us all why we walk like MADD every year to support our important programs to 1) help victims and their families and 2) make every effort possible to stop impaired driving in Hawaii. You may listen to her speech here.
With over 75 volunteers on site that day we were able to set up, staff, and clean up in record time. Mahalo to all the individuals, schools, and military units who stepped up to help. And mahalo nui loa to the Advisory Board members for leading the teams of volunteers. Marilyn Katzman, our outgoing chair, worked with the youth to distribute Cookies and Bananas. Thank you Cookie Corner and Armstrong Produce!
The Walk Like MADD donation page will be available until Nov. 16, 2023. Please consider a donation to support our work – www.walklikemadd.org/hawaii
UPDATE 12.21.22 – the final total for this year’s Walk was $132,000.00! A record high and a crazy bar to reach for next year. We’ll need everyone’s help – SAVE THE DATE for 2023 – Sat. Sept. 16, 2023.