FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 13, 2026
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MADD’s growing sports initiative recognized for harnessing the power of athletes, coaches and sports communities to inspire safer choices and save lives
Public voting is open through October 29 to help MADD Sports earn an Anthem Community Voice Award
Irving, Texas — October 13, 2026 — Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) announced that MADD Sports has been named a Finalist in the Community Engagement category within the Health cause area of the 6th Annual Anthem Awards, recognizing its innovative approach to advancing impaired driving prevention through the influence and reach of sports.
The Anthem Awards celebrate purpose-driven work making a meaningful difference around the world. MADD Sports is being recognized for bringing MADD’s lifesaving mission directly into sports culture, connecting with student-athletes, coaches, universities, professional athletes and sports leaders to inspire responsible decision-making, promote wellness and empower the next generation to lead by example.
“Sports have an extraordinary ability to bring people together, shape culture and inspire change. Through MADD Sports, we’re empowering athletes and coaches across the country to lead conversations about mental wellness and impaired driving prevention that can truly save lives,” said Stacey D. Stewart, CEO of MADD. “Being named an Anthem Awards finalist is a powerful recognition of that impact. We’re proud to be part of a movement that is proving the impact of sports can extend far beyond the game.”
Through a growing network of athletes, coaches, universities, professional sports organizations and advocates, MADD Sports creates opportunities to engage young people in meaningful conversations about impaired driving, substance use prevention, mental wellness and looking out for one another.
Anthem Winners are selected by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. Judges for the 6th Annual Anthem Awards include an esteemed panel of leaders from organizations and companies dedicated to social impact, including Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association; Heather Malenshek, CMO of Land O’Lakes, Inc.; Jesse Tyler Ferguson, award-winning actor and LGBTQ+ advocate; Patrice Duckworth, Chief Inclusion Officer of Johnson & Johnson; Fatima Graves, President and CEO of the National Women’s Law Center; and Justina Nixon-Saintil, Vice President and Global Chief Impact Officer at IBM, among others.
“We’re thrilled to see the impact sector share their stories and expand their impact,” said Anthem Awards General Manager Patricia McLoughlin. “This year’s Finalists are truly setting the standard for how to advocate for a cause, inspire action, create impact, and overall make this world a better place.”
Help MADD Sports Win: Public Voting Open Through October 29
Alongside the finalist announcement, the Anthem Awards have launched Anthem Community Voice, presented in partnership with NationBuilder, an annual public voting campaign celebrating the work of Anthem finalists.
MADD is calling on athletes, coaches, fans, partners and supporters nationwide to rally behind MADD Sports and help amplify the message that the choices we make can change lives.
Vote for MADD Sports in the Health – Community Engagement – Non-Profit category by October 29, 2026, at:
https://celebrate.anthemawards.com/PublicVoting#/2026/health/community-engagement/non-profit
All finalists are also eligible to receive Gold, Silver or Bronze Anthem Awards selected by Anthem judges. Winners of the 6th Annual Anthem Awards will be announced November 5, 2026.
About MADD Sports
MADD Sports harnesses the influence of sports, athletes and coaches to advance MADD’s mission to end impaired driving. By engaging student-athletes, universities, professional athletes, coaches and sports organizations, MADD Sports raises awareness, promotes safe choices, supports mental wellness and empowers individuals to lead by example. Through education, advocacy and community engagement, MADD Sports is creating a movement where every choice matters and every voice has the power to make a difference. Learn more at madd.org/maddsports.
About MADD
Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) is a national nonprofit leading the movement to end impaired driving for good. Since 1980, MADD has helped reduce drunk driving deaths in America by more than 51%, saved nearly 500,000 lives, and served nearly one million victims and survivors. The organization is committed to leading prevention efforts with young adults, collaborating with law enforcement to keep our roads safe from impaired drivers, as well as advocating for stricter sentencing and stronger laws. MADD continues to provide support services to victims and survivors of impaired driving at no charge through victim advocates and the 24-Hour Victim Help Line 1-877-MADD-HELP. For more information or to donate, visit https://madd.org/ and follow MADD on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
About The Anthem Awards
Launched in 2021 by The Webby Awards, The Anthem Awards recognizes impactful brands, nonprofits and individuals that are setting the standard for good worldwide. The Anthem Awards honors work across seven core causes: Belonging & Inclusion; Education, Art & Culture; Health; Human & Civil Rights; Humanitarian Action & Services; Sustainability, Environment & Climate; and Technology. This season’s partners and sponsors include NationBuilder, Sustainable Brands, NationSwell, The Bloom, the Social Innovation Summit and The Nonprofit Alliance. The Awards were founded in partnership with the Ad Council, Born This Way Foundation, Feeding America, GLAAD, Mozilla, NAACP, NRDC, WWF and XQ.
About The Webby Awards
Hailed as the “Internet’s highest honor” by The New York Times, The Webby Awards is the leading international awards organization honoring excellence on the Internet, including Websites and Mobile Sites; Video & Film; Advertising, Media & PR; Apps, Software & Immersive; Social; Podcasts; Games; Creators and AI. Established in 1996, The Webby Awards received over 13,000 entries from all 50 states and over 70 countries worldwide this year. The Webby Awards are presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS). Sponsors and Partners of The Webby Awards include Adobe, WP Engine, Patreon, ElevenLabs, Framer, Meta, NAACP, KPMG, The Wall Street Journal, Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter, SXSW.
