Columbus, NJ – More than 250 Wawa stores throughout New Jersey will add their support to the HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers® by dedicating their April coin drop program to the drunk driving prevention organization.
Customers will be invited to donate their spare change to the Campaign at coin drop containers located at store counters.
Wawa was the first food store chain to adopt the HERO Campaign, established in memory of Navy Ensign John Elliott of Egg Harbor Township who was killed by a drunken driver in July 2000.
The non-profit organization has grown from a local cause into a regional movement, supported by counties, cities, highway safety organizations, bar and tavern organizations, colleges, and Major League Baseball and NFL teams.
The HERO Campaign will use proceeds from the coin drop program to promote the use of sober designated drivers through television commercials, highway billboards, posters, car window decals, brochures and an aerial banner flown over Jersey shore beaches this summer.
The Campaign will hold a special 10th Anniversary Dinner at Trump Taj Mahal this summer on July 22, the date of John Elliott’s death.
Richard Stockton College, Monmouth University, Rowan University and others in the region have adopted the campaign, along with the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Giants and Jets, NJ State Police, NJ Turnpike and Parkway Authority, Atlantic City Expressway and several Atlantic City casino hotels.
“We are proud to support the HERO Campaign and its efforts to save lives and keep our highways safer,” commented Danielle Brown, chairman of the NJ Charity Committee for Wawa. (In 2007 it was Dave Yeager, senior director of store operations) “Our store managers and staff are excited about helping such a worthy cause and raising awareness for drunken driving prevention. The safety of our customers, associates and the community is a high priority for Wawa.”
Bill Elliott, John Elliott’s father and founder of the HERO Campaign stated: “We appreciate Wawa’s support for our efforts to prevent future drunk driving tragedies in John’s memory. He added: “The HERO Campaign is a positive legacy for our son.
At the U.S. Naval Academy John was named the outstanding HERO (Human Education Resource Officer) for his service to his fellow midshipmen. Now the heroes will be the designated drivers who keep our highways safer in John’s memory.”
For more information, the website address for the HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers is www.herocampaign.org , or call 1-866-700-HERO (4376).
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