Mothers Against Drunk Driving Hosted VIP Kick-Off Party for 13th Annual Walk Like MADD Fort Lauderdale 5K
On Feb. 6, MADD Southeast Florida celebrated a VIP kick–off party at BBX Capital in Fort Lauderdale for its 13th Annual UKG2024 Walk Like MADD & MADD Dash Fort Lauderdale 5K presented by the Sheriff’s Foundation of Broward County. So far, Walk Like MADD & MADD Dash Fort Lauderdale has raised over $100,000 this year to stay in the South Florida community to save lives and support victims of drunk driving.
Guests enjoyed light bites from Red Chair Catering, mocktails by LaCroix, and a unique opportunity to win exclusive prizes such as beautiful jewelry from Daoud’s Fine Jewelry, priceless autographed footballs from the Jason Taylor Foundation, tickets to a Florida Panthers game, and more. Guests also enjoyed a performance by poet Shaviah Hamilton from the Jason Taylor Foundation’s bluapple Poetry Network.
Special guests included Walk Like MADD Fort Lauderdale Founder and Honorary Chairperson Heather Geronemus; Honorary Chairperson Colonel Nichole Anderson, Undersheriff of Broward Sheriff’s Office; and other local dignitaries.
“We are so grateful for the ongoing support from our sponsors, volunteers and attendees to educate the community on the tragedies that drunk driving causes,” said Geronemus, who is also the immediate past chairwoman of the MADD National Board of Directors. “Our Kick–off Party was a huge success with not only our longtime supporters in attendance, but we also welcomed many new supporters. We know that the run/walk on April 28 will put us one step closer to seeing a future with no more victims of this 100 percent preventable crime.”
The host committee for the Kick–Off Party included Patrick Daoud of Daoud’s Fine Jewelry, Alexa Diaz of Neighbors 4 Neighbors, Maggie Gunther of Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, Gene Harvey of Weston Rotary, Lois Marino of BBX Capital, Jessica Rodriguez of Cloud Nine Nonprofit Advisors, Durée Ross of Durée & Company, Avesta Shaygannik of Northwestern Mutual, Samantha Strouse of BBX Capital and George Taylor of Brinkley Morgan.
The 13th Annual UKG 2024 Walk Like MADD & MADD Dash Fort Lauderdale 5K presented by the Sheriff’s Foundation of Broward County will take place on Sunday, April 28, 2024, at SE 1st Avenue and Las Olas Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale. More than 1,000 walkers and runners are expected to attend the event. Since it was established in 2011, this event has raised more than $3.8 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 Mothers Against Drunk Driving. This event is MADD Southeast Florida’s annual signature fundraising event in support of its mission to end drunk driving. It takes place in over 90 cities in the U.S., including Fort Lauderdale.
Event sponsors include Signature Sponsor UKG; Presenting Sponsor Sheriff’s Foundation of Broward County; Corporate Champion Sponsors Broward County Sheriff’s Office, Durée & Company, Florida Highway Patrol, Fort Lauderdale Police Department, JM Family, and Memorial Healthcare System; Spotlight Sponsors LaCroix, Publix, and Westway Towing; and MADD Milestone Sponsors David Geronemus & Mitzi Lyman & Crowe.
To register for the 13th Annual UKG 2024 Walk Like MADD & MADD Dash Fort Lauderdale 5K presented by the Sheriff’s Foundation of Broward County, visit www.walklikemadd.org/fortlauderdale.
Event sponsorships are available. Awards will be given for top fundraiser, top team (private and corporate), as well as overall and age-group awards for 5K finishers.
Photo Credit: Downtown Photo
