Nearly 1,000 walkers and runners made strides in the ongoing fight against drunk driving, during the 10th Annual Salah Foundation and UKG presents the UBS Financial Services Walk Like MADD & MADD Dash Fort Lauderdale 5K brought to you by Sheriff’s Foundation of Broward County and Memorial Healthcare System.
Whether they participated in the in-person, socially distanced race on April 25 at Fort Lauderdale’s Huizenga Plaza, or virtually at a location of their choice between April 25–May 9, participants raised more than $215,000 this year. All event proceeds benefit Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Broward & Palm Beach’s community education, victim support services and youth programs, provided at no cost.
Walk Like MADD & MADD Dash Fort Lauderdale 5K is a community-driven 5K that raises awareness about drunk driving and underage drinking, and unites community members around MADD’s mission.
Since it was established in 2011, Walk Like MADD & MADD Dash Fort Lauderdale 5K has raised over $2.7 million that stays in the South Florida community to save lives and support victims of drunk driving, making it the most successful grassroots fundraiser in the history of MADD. In the U.S., there are more than 10,000 drunk driving-related deaths and over 350,000 drunk driving-related injuries each year, all of which are 100% preventable.
For this year’s walk/run, all participants logged their miles using RaceJoy App. At the in-person race, MADD followed all CDC guidelines including social distancing and timed start waves.
MADD National Chairwoman Heather Geronemus founded and has chaired the Fort Lauderdale event since 2011. Event sponsors included Signature Sponsors UKG (Ultimate Kronos Group) and the Salah Foundation; Title Sponsor UBS Financial Services; Presenting Sponsor Sheriff’s Foundation of Broward County and Memorial Healthcare System; State Safety Champion Sponsor Alert Today Florida, and Corporate Champion Sponsors Aetna, Brandsmart, JM Family, La Croix, Miami Heat, Safer Watch and Weinstein Legal.
“We are very proud that our community showed strong support for our 10th anniversary event, even with restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Geronemus. “Drunk driving is still the deadliest killer on U.S. roadways, and with this event, we continue to raise awareness and funds to help victims in South Florida and provide prevention education.”
“I sincerely thank our sponsors, participants and donors who have supported Walk Like MADD & MADD Dash Fort Lauderdale 5K over the past 10 years so that we can one day see a future where there are no more victims,” she continued.
Geronemus’ late father, Dr. Robert Perry Geronemus, was struck and killed by a drunk driver in 2009.
Runners/walkers can still virtually participate in Walk Like MADD & MADD Dash Fort Lauderdale 5K through Sunday, May 9. Donations will continue being accepted at www.walklikemadd.org/fortlauderdale through June 9.
For the most up-to-date event information, visit www.facebook.com/MADDDashFortLaud. Contact FL.State@madd.org for any additional questions.
ABOUT MADD
Founded by a mother whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is the nation’s largest nonprofit working to protect families from drunk driving and underage drinking. MADD also supports drunk and drugged driving victims and survivors at no charge, serving one person every nine minutes through local MADD victim advocates and at 1-877-MADD-HELP. In South Florida, the chapter’s annual Walk Like MADD & MADD Dash Fort Lauderdale 5K has raised more than $2.7 million since 2011. MADD’s Broward and Palm Beach chapters facilitate hundreds of free events each year to educate youth and parents on the dangers and consequences of impaired driving. Learn more at www.madd.org or by calling 1-877-ASK-MADD.
