In the News

MADD hosts vigil for those lost
The Daily Press
By Chelsey Romain
November 22, 2009

As the holiday season approaches and people prepare to spend time with loved ones, for some families Christmas simply reminds them of those lost.

As the Timmins chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) launched its annual Project Red Ribbon campaign, a special candlelight vigil was held to remember those taken away too soon at the hands of an impaired driver.

Family members were on hand at Cedar Meadows yesterday, as memorial candles were lit, poems were read and a moment of silence was held for victims of impaired driving.

"Candlelight vigils are conducted every year to remember the victims to support the families, to alert the public of impaired driving and express hope for a less-violent future," said MADD victim support co-ordinator Christine White.

For Natalie Collings and her family, the annual vigil is a time to gather with other families who know exactly what they've gone through.

In 1998, Collings' brother Jonathan was killed after taking a ride with a driver who was under the influence. Three others were injured on that early morning on Sept. 26.

Jonathan was pronounced dead at the scene.

"No one can really say they understand unless they've been through it," Collings said. "MADD helps families by gathering them together, it gives us the chance to remember our loved ones and understand what each other is going through."

Currently, MADD is supporting five families in the area, many of whom are actively involved in the organization. According to White, the area's statistics are low when it comes to victims of impaired driving, with no new victims in recent years.

But for many families, like the Collings, the death of a loved one happened many years ago, and still families can benefit from what MADD has to offer.

Newly elected president of the Timmins chapter Steve Meunier was only a toddler when his uncle Brian Arquette was struck by a drunk driver while walking home from school in the late 1960s.

While Meunier said his own memories of his uncle are vague, he clearly remembers the impact the death had on his own mother and grandparents.

"I do remember it was just a terrible time in the life of my whole family," Meunier said. "He was only 18."

But Meunier isn't only a victim of impaired driving as a family member, his job also has him out on the road trying to stop it from happening to another family.

As a member of the Ontario Provincial Police, Meunier said eradicating impaired driving is a top priority.

"It's our way of showing support and I'm here to assist in any way I can," he said. "Everyone here demonstrates a commitment to stopping impaired driving, and it's MADD's policy to assist the police in making the public aware and provide a service to the victims."

And that's where Project Red Ribbon comes in. In the coming weeks, the OPP, in conjunction with the Timmins Police Service, will be conducting festive RIDE programs, encouraging motorists to drive sober. During these stops, MADD volunteers and police officers will be handing out the red ribbons to drivers to tie to their antennas and key chains with the MADD logo.

"It signifies they realize the importance of the campaign and shows their commitment to drive sober," he said.

While there may not have been any known victims of drunk driving in this area in recent years, White is encouraging those who have ever been a victim or who may know someone who has been a victim to call MADD.

"We are there to support you, to offer you guidance, we'll go to court with you — we're a complete support system for the victims," she said.

Also see...

Project Red Ribbon campaign