Richmond Ford Group gets MADD about drunk driving
Richmond Ford Group is partnering with Mothers Against Drunk Driving for a month-long campaign that will donate a portion of vehicle sales to MADD Virginia while raising awareness about the dangers of impaired driving.
The campaign, called Driving Change, is taking place throughout August at Richmond Ford West, Richmond Ford Lincoln and West Point Ford. The dealerships hope to sell at least 450 vehicles during the campaign and raise more than $10,000 for MADD.
The initiative is being promoted under the slogan, “Let Your Purchase Have a Purpose.”
Lisa Black, a MADD Virginia board member and survivor of a drunk-driving crash, introduced the campaign during an event at Richmond Ford West in Henrico Aug. 4. She said the partnership turns each vehicle purchase into an opportunity to support MADD’s efforts to make roads safer and help people affected by impaired driving.
The Richmond Ford Group has supported MADD for 16 years, according to Ron Kody, owner of the Richmond Ford dealerships. Kody said the group has continued its fundraising efforts for the organization over the years, including the summer Driving Change campaign.
“Every 89 seconds, someone is either killed or injured by an impaired driver,” Kody said during the event.
Kody also cited MADD statistics stating that 32 people die each day from impaired driving and that two of every three people will be affected by an impaired driver during their lifetime.
Chris Paulk, sales manager at Richmond Ford Lincoln, shared a personal connection to the issue. His mother and grandmother were stopped at a traffic light when a drunk driver rear-ended their vehicle at about 40 mph.
The impact totaled the back of their vehicle and caused it to spin out. Both women survived with minor injuries, but Paulk said his grandmother suffered a concussion and underwent physical therapy.
“Luckily, today she’s all right, but I know not everybody’s that fortunate,” Paulk said.
Kody said the dealerships hope to raise more than $10,000 through the campaign. The three locations will track their progress toward the 450-vehicle goal with a board updated each week.
Kody described impaired driving as an issue that is entirely preventable and said the dealership’s continued partnership with MADD is intended to help the organization work toward ending it.
The Driving Change campaign will continue through August at all three Richmond Ford Group locations.
MADD Virginia’s next local event, Walk Like MADD, will take place Sept. 26 at 9 a.m. at Dorey Park in Varina. The event will raise awareness about impaired driving, honor victims and survivors, and support MADD’s efforts to prevent future crashes.
