Valley mothers arent getting even, they're getting MADD

Valley mothers are getting MADD in their approach to drunk driving for the first time.

The organizational process for establishing a Valley chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving has already started, and a first public meeting has already been scheduled for Dec. 3, at 7 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club. It is long overdue in the minds of many.

Chrissy Steele and Patty Kramer are working together to establish the Valley chapter. Their lives changed forever on July 12, 2000, when Kramer's son, Kenneth Kramer, was killed along with his cousin, Kevin Blake, by a drunk driver near Portage.

"You can't imagine how much this has affected our family, and another family should never have to feel the pain we've felt. Nobody should have to endure this," Steele said. "It is totally preventable. That is what has given us the drive to start the local chapter."

Up until about a year ago, the Anchorage chapter was the only of its kind in Alaska. Then, a Juneau chapter was started. Currently, there are about 30 MADD members from the Valley who are a part of the Anchorage chapter.

"Some of those are just 'contribution members' who donate, but there are some who make it to the meetings in Anchorage," Steele said. "It'll be nice for us to have this out here, in the Valley."

Right now, there is a "research" phase in which potential members of the chapter get educated about facts, laws, statistics, fines and every other aspect of drunk driving. Once there is a membership of 15 voting members, the charter will be approved a board of directors will be formed.

Steele said she expects that to happen as soon as mid-January. Until then, though, there is plenty to do, with organizational meetings and events already scheduled.

A large membership drive is planned as are community events such as the "Tie One On" day, in which people get ribbons tied to their vehicle antennae in support of the organization.

"You need money to get flyers out to the community and to do a lot of the public events, so we have to get our membership up," Steele said.

Steele said that MADD isn't an "extreme" group by any means. It is simply interested in making sure families aren't destroyed by those who choose to drive drunk.

"MADD's not against people drinking or against alcohol. Go ahead and drink. But just don't drive," Steele said. "It's unrealistic to think people won't drink. Just take a taxi, or have a designated driver, or stay where you are until you can drive. There are choices."

People interested in joining the organization, or helping by contributing to the membership drive, can call Steele at 357-3950 or Kramer at 373-3458.