The 2017 Walk Like MADD – An Overwhelming Success
On September 23, 2017, MADD Hawaii sponsored its sixth Walk Like MADD event. In addition to being the major fundraising event of the year for MADD Hawaii, the Walk raises awareness of the perils of drinking and drugged driving. In addition to completing the 5K walk through the newly renovated Ala Moana Shopping Center, we take the opportunity to honor the victims of this heinous crime.
We had the largest turnout in Hawaii’s Walk Like MADD history with over 355 walkers,18 teams and over $74,000 raised.
Participants enjoyed the experience of walking through the empty shopping center at 7 a.m. and window shopping along the way. After walkers had time to complete the 5K “course,” awards were presented to the top fundraising individuals and teams. Plenty of prizes were also awarded randomly and for specific reasons (like having a birthday that day). The winning individual fundraiser won a weekend at the beautiful Mauna Kea Hotel, including airfare to the Big Island. All registered walkers were “winners” by receiving a MADD day-pack filled with treats, coupons and great logo items. In addition, the fabulous cookies at the end of the Walk have become a delectable tradition. And, there are even coffee and pastries at the beginning of the Walk for those who arrive early.
We were very proud to have The Law Firm of Leavitt, Yamane & Soldner as our Presenting Sponsor. Other major sponsors included Pacific In Vitro Fertilization Institute, UBER, Macy’s, Queens Medical Center and Island Insurance Companies. All the 2017 sponsors and supporters are listed on the adjoining page.
An estimated 100 volunteers – individuals and groups – were incredible helpers the day of the Walk and the weeks leading up to the event. They too were essential to having an organized successful Walk. Included in our list of volunteers are members of the Honolulu Police Department, who provided traffic control at one location in the route and Dr. Phil Dunn and the Queen’s Medical Center team who manned the First Aid Station.
Funds raised by the 2017 Walk Like MADD will support MADD’s efforts to keep the community educated about the problem of drinking and driving and the increasing problem of drugs and driving. Money raised also helps with MADD’s program to support victims of highway crashes. MADD works to improve the safety of our roads throughout the state…and throughout the year!
Looking forward to seeing you at our next Walk Like Madd in September 2018.