Red Ribbon campaign kicks off in Temiskaming Shores
By GEORGE PARASKEVOPOULOS
NORTHERN NEWS
November 12, 2008

TEMISKAMING SHORES-Mother's Against Drinking and Driving (MADD) officially kicked off its Red Ribbon Campaign on Friday November 7 at the City of Temiskaming Shores City Hall.

"This is something we do every year," MADD president Rob Clouston said. The launch was to let people know that the Red Ribbon Campaign is starting up again, he said. Over 50 boxes with the red ribbons have been placed in various locations throughout Temiskaming covering an area south of Temagami to just north of Englehart. The public is encouraged to pick up a ribbon and support the red ribbon project by tying a red ribbon in a visible location on their vehicle.

The main objective of the Red Ribbon Campaign goes beyond the fund-raising, Clouston said. "We want to educate people and make them aware that drinking and driving is still the number one cause of criminal death in Canada," Clouston said. "On average every day in Canada four people are killed and that's not including the injuries and we want to put a stop to that," he said. The red ribbon campaign is a nation-wide project that has been running since the inception of MADD 20 years ago. This is the sixth year for the red ribbon campaign for the local chapter of MADD in the Temiskaming area.

The Red Ribbon Campaign is an annual event that runs from November 1st to the first Monday after New Year's but the fight against impaired driving is year round, Clouston said.

"It is a sad fact that we still have a long way to go to eradicate drunk driving but with every effort made we move one step closer and this organization (MADD) proves this," City of Temiskaming Shores Mayor Judy Pace said. Pace encouraged everyone to fly a red ribbon during the campaign and even after the campaign is over. "It sends a message that you are committed to driving sober and that you support this very important life saving program," Pace said.

The flying of the red ribbon is a significant symbol and also a sign of respect for the thousands of Canadians who have lost their lives or have been injured as the result of impaired driving. Pace expressed her thanks to the local businesses that have agreed to display the Red Ribbon boxes and commended the efforts of MADD volunteers. "You are making a difference at bringing down those numbers of fatalities through educational programs like the Red Ribbon Campaign," she said. MADD has chosen this particular time to run the program because of the holiday season when more traveling is occurring and when drinking is more prevalent.