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Personal stories inspire people to sign up for The Woodlands Walk Like MADD and MADD Dash

By: Donna Wick
| Published 09/21/2015

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THE WOODLANDS, Texas - Walk Like MADD and MADD Dash are fast approaching. The events will be held on Saturday, October 3 and MADD needs your help to reach their fundraising goal. “We have only a few weeks left and so far we’ve raised over $13,000 towards ending drunk driving in our community,” said Heather Smith, Special Events Manager for MADD in Southeast Texas. “But it’s not enough; we need to raise $55,000 in order to fund our lifesaving prevention work.” Smith hopes to protect families from the tragedy of losing a loved one to drunk driving. The event is presented by Milstead Automotive.

Jeanette Einhauf, the Law Enforcement Chair for Walk Like MADD, stresses the importance of the walk. “The money raised helps provide services for victims and their families,” Einhauf said. “It’s also a time for people to come together to bring awareness to a preventable problem.” Einhauf and her husband Mike participate in Walk Like MADD every year to show their support for law enforcement officers. “They have a thankless job. They risk their lives every day for us and every time they get an impaired driver off the street, they are saving lives.”

Einhauf remembers that during a previous walk, she and Mike were working at the Law Enforcement VIP tent. “A man came to the tent needing to talk to someone. He had just lost his fiancé and his adult grandson in a DWI crash,” Einhauf said. “The officer who had worked the crash scene was there at the walk.” Mike arranged for that officer to talk with the grieving grandfather. “He was able to have questions answered and to experience the peace that he had been looking for,” Einhauf said. “Healing began for that grandfather right there in the park.”

“I get goosebumps when I hear the sirens in unison announcing the opening ceremony,” Einhauf said. “This year, all officers will come to the front for the presentation of colors and national anthem by the Harris County Sheriff’s Department to recognize law enforcement for their commitment.” Members of law enforcement are an integral part of Walk Like MADD and MADD Dash. “They form walking teams, they bring their vehicles out for the Law Enforcement Row and they’re present to show support for the work that MADD does to eliminate drunk driving and save lives.”

Amy Milstead, President of Milstead Group, said, “The community needs to be made aware of the statistics and the rising problem we have with drinking and driving.” Milstead Automotive is proud to sponsor Walk Like MADD and MADD Dash for the fourth year in a row. “We at Milstead want to play a part in making our community a safer place for everyone,” Milstead said. “We walk as a team every year, it feels good to come together with other teams to help promote such a dynamic organization and a worthy cause.” In the automotive industry, Milstead has seen the aftermath of drunk driving accidents. “It’s such a tragedy, no matter who it happens to or what age they are,” she said. “It also affects the families of the driver; they have to clean up the mess after their child or spouse has made bad choices.”

As a reminder of the importance of these fundraising events, Heather Smith shares the story of the Stephens family. “On July 19, 2014, on their way home from a birthday celebration for soon to be 10-year-old Jade, the Stephens family was hit by a drunk driver,” Smith said. “The driver ran a stop sign and broadsided the Stephens’ car on the side where Jade was sitting. Her parents and brother watched in horror as Jade took her last breaths.”

Smith would like to urge everyone to join in either as an individual or in a team. “You can even become a virtual walker if you’re unable to attend,” Smith said. “It’s imperative that we all take action to stop this 100% preventable, violent crime from impacting any more families.”

The 5th annual Walk Like MADD and MADD Dash will be held on Saturday, October 3 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in Northshore Park in The Woodlands. For more information or to register click here. Milstead Automotive, located at 29707 W. Hawthorne in Spring, is a sponsor and supporter for the 2015 Walk Like MADD and MADD Dash in The Woodlands. Visit their website at www.milsteadautomotive.com.

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