More than 2,000 walkers and runners will make strides in the ongoing fight against drunk driving during the 7th Annual MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) “Ultimate Software Presents the La Croix & Florida Panthers Foundation Walk Like MADD & MADD Dash Fort Lauderdale 5K Brought to You by ADT and Allegiance Crane” on Sunday, April 30. WALK Like MADD & MADD Dash is MADD’s annual signature fundraising event in support of its mission to end drunk driving. The event takes place in over 60 cities in the U.S., including Fort Lauderdale.
The family friendly walk and competitive USATF-certified run will start at Huizenga Park, 32 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33301, at 7:30 a.m. and take place along Fort Lauderdale’s Riverwalk.
Since it was established in 2011, Walk Like MADD & MADD Dash Fort Lauderdale 5K has raised over $1 million for MADD Broward & Palm Beach. All event proceeds benefit MADD Broward & Palm Beach’s community education, victim support services and youth programs.
The day’s festivities will also include children’s activities, an awards ceremony, live musical performances, vendor and educational booths, and appearances by local dignitaries, including Sheriff Scott Israel of Broward Sheriff's Office. Speakers will include this year’s Honorary Chairperson Jim Robertson, CEO & president of Allegiance Crane, and Volunteer Chairperson and National Board Member Heather Geronemus.
“This event provides a wonderful opportunity to join others in the South Florida community in an effort to put an end to drunk driving,” said Robertson. “While walking or running together, participants can enjoy a fun-filled event, as well as support MADD’s mission: To aid the victims of crimes performed by individuals driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, to aid the families of such victims and to increase public awareness of the problem of drinking and drugged driving.”
Geronemus, a Plantation resident and vibrant young professional who works for Ultimate Software, established and chaired the Fort Lauderdale event in 2011. Her father, Dr. Robert Perry Geronemus, was struck and killed by a drunk driver in 2009.
“We are thrilled to have the support of our entire community at this event, which raises funds to educate the South Florida community about the dangers of drunk driving, and provide victim support and youth programs to put a halt to this completely preventable crime,” said Geronemus. “When victims and non-victims stand side-by-side in the fight against drunk driving we can see a future with no more victims of drunk driving.”
In Florida in 2015, there were 797 drunk driving fatalities (.08 BAC or higher), representing 27 percent of all total traffic deaths. This figure represents a 14.8 percent increase from 2014. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, on average, two in three people will be involved in a drunk driving crash in their lifetime.
Events sponsors include Signature Sponsor Ultimate Software; Title Sponsors La Croix Water & Florida Panthers Foundation, Presenting Sponsors Allegiance Crane and ADT Always Cares; and Corporate Champion Sponsors Broward Sheriff’s Foundation, Broward Sheriff’s Office, Festival Flea Market, Greenspoon Marder, SunTrust and South Florida Ford.
To register for the 2017 “Ultimate Software Presents the La Croix & Florida Panthers Foundation Walk Like MADD & MADD Dash Fort Lauderdale 5K Brought to You by ADT and Allegiance Crane,” visit www.walklikemadd.org/fortlauderdale.
The cost is $30 for adults (walkers and runners) and $25 for youth (ages 5–21). Corporate, family and law enforcement team registration is also available. Participants can sign up as an adult or youth virtual walker if they can not attend the event in person but still wish to fundraise. Event sponsorships are available. Awards will be given for top fundraiser, top team (private and corporate), as well as overall and age-group awards for 5K finishers.
For the most up-to-date event information, visit www.facebook.com/MADDDashFortLaud.
ABOUT MADD
Founded by a mother whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is the nation’s largest nonprofit working to protect families from drunk driving and underage drinking. MADD also supports drunk and drugged driving victims and survivors at no charge, serving one person every nine minutes through local MADD victim advocates and at 1-877-MADD-HELP. In South Florida, the chapter’s annual Walk Like MADD & MADD Dash Fort Lauderdale 5K has raised more than $1 million since 2011. MADD’s Broward and Palm Beach chapters facilitate hundreds of free events each year to educate youth and parents on the dangers and consequences of impaired driving. Learn more at www.madd.org or by calling 1-877-ASK-MADD.
