Wheaties To Help Launch Red Ribbon Campaign
oursportscentral.com
November 19, 2008

Brandon, Manitoba - The Brandon Wheat Kings, in conjunction with Heritage Co-op, have teamed up with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD Brandon Chapter) to deliver to western Manitobans a sobering message about the dangers of impaired driving throughout the holiday season.

Representatives from MADD Brandon Chapter and Heritage Co-op will be at this Friday's Western Hockey League game at Westman Communications Group Place between the Wheat Kings and visiting Kootenay Ice to officially launch the 2008 Project Red Ribbon Campaign.

In addition to encouraging western Manitoba hockey fans to not drive after consuming alcohol or taking drugs, they will be handing out the Wheat Kings' 2008-09 Team Poster to the first 3,000 fans through the door.

As well, they will be distributing red ribbons, which have become a familiar symbol of safe and sober driving throughout the country. Hundreds and thousands of red ribbons will be given out throughout western Manitoba during the months of November and December.

"MADD, Heritage Co-op and the Wheat Kings are asking Manitoba drivers to display a red ribbon this holiday season and help with the fight against impaired driving," says Brandon Chapter President Judith Jordan. "By flying a MADD Canada red ribbon, you are making a personal pledge to drive sober and reminding all motorists not to drink and drive."

"The MADD Canada red ribbon serves as a constant message to people on the roads to drive safe and to drive sober," says Troy Verboom, the general manager of Heritage Co-op. "Our stores and its members are concerned about safety on our roads and Heritage Co-op shares MADD Canada's mission and its desire to eliminate impaired driving tragedies."

"Without the leadership of our sponsors like Heritage Co-op, we would not be able to make an impact through this time of year," says Wheat Kings' director of sales and marketing Rick Dillabough.

Each year, from the beginning of November to the first Monday after January 1st, MADD Canada volunteers across the country distribute red ribbons and ask Canadians to display a ribbon on their vehicle or keychain.

Impaired driving remains Canada's number one criminal cause of death. On average, each and every day, four Canadians are killed and 196 Canadians are injured in alcohol and drug related crashes. More than 70,000 Canadian men, women and children are killed or seriously injured in impaired driving crashes annually.

On the ice, the Wheat Kings snapped a 2-game losing streak Tuesday night with a 4-1 victory over the defending Memorial Cup Champion Spokane Chiefs. Scott Glennie scored twice and netminder Andrew Hayes made 33 saves, including 26 through the first two periods as Brandon improved to 13-9-1 on the season.

This Friday's game will be the final of a 7-game WHL homestand for the Wheat Kings, who will travel to Saskatoon to meet the Blades the following night.

Tickets to Friday's Team Poster Night are on sale now at the Keystone Centre box office. Fans can also order by phone at 726-3555 or online at ticketmaster.ca.