GM Foundation Donates $150,000 to MADD

DETROIT, Oct. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The General Motors Foundation is donating $150,000 to Mothers Against Drunk Driving to expand prevention education initiatives and provide support services to victims of drunk driving crashes and their families.

In 2011, drunk driving killed more than 9,800 people and injured approximately 315,000. To aid in recovery, MADD provides services to one victim every 8.6 minutes at no charge. Last year alone, 61,000 people received help from the organization.

"Keeping drivers and passengers safe in and around vehicles is a top priority for our company and this grant is another example of our dedication to vehicle safety in every form," said Michael Robinson, GM vice president of Sustainability and Global Regulatory Affairs. "Until we reach the point where impaired driving and related tragedies are eliminated, we'll continue to support MADD's commitment to addressing the problem."

Since 1995, the GM Foundation has donated grants totaling nearly $3.9 million to support MADD's drunk-driving prevention and victim recovery work, and to raise awareness on the importance of having a designated driver.

In addition to funding victims' services like counseling, medical, and legal support, a portion of the GM Foundation grant will be dedicated to the Power of Parents® program. This initiative offers materials and workshops to give parents the tools they need to help prevent underage drinking.

"This contribution will help MADD achieve its mission by allowing us to serve more drunk driving victims and prevent underage drinking," said MADD National President Jan Withers.   

About the General Motors Foundation
Since its inception in 1976, the GM Foundation has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to American charities, educational organizations and to disaster relief efforts worldwide. The GM Foundation focuses on supporting Education, Health and Human Services, Environment and Energy and Community Development initiatives, mainly in the communities where GM operates. For more information, visit www.gm.com/gmfoundation.  

About Mothers Against Drunk Driving
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. With the help of those who want a safer future, MADD's Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving® will end this danger on America's roads. PowerTalk 21® is the national day for parents to talk with their kids about alcohol, using the proven strategies of Power of Parents® to reduce the risk of underage drinking. And as one of the largest victim services organizations in the U.S., MADD also supports drunk and drugged driving victims and survivors at no charge, serving one person every 8.6 minutes through local MADD victim advocates and at 1-877-MADD-HELP.  Learn more at www.madd.org or by calling 1-877-ASK-MADD.

SOURCE General Motors Foundation