December 2001 Newsletter  

Contents:

• Coping with Tragedy in Our Homes and in Our Community
• 15^th Annual Community Recognition Luncheon
• Crashed Car Program Update
• New Media Campaign
• United Way Donor Option Program
• Vehicle Donations
• End-of-Year Donations
• Crashes are not Accidents

Coping with Tragedy in Our Homes and in Our Community

With the terrorist attack still fresh on our hearts and minds, we have gathered tips from the nation's most prominent victim assistance organizations to help our readers deal with the trauma of September 11.  

For some of you these events may have triggered painful memories from a previous trauma.  Others may be dealing with traumatized children or first response workers.  The holiday season is usually a joyous time, but this year may feel stressful.  We hope some of this in- formation helps.  Most symptoms that are natural reactions to a terrifying event can be successfully treated and are all valid. 

If your daily routine has been affected you may want to visit your doctor for short-term medication or shop around for a counselor with expertise working with individuals who suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  It may help you to consider some of the following suggestions: 

• Plan your daily activities to feet as physically and emotionally safe as possible.  This may mean not watching the news or reading the newspaper, staying away from large crowds, spending time with loved ones, attending religious ser- vices, and sharing your feelings with someone you trust. 

• Avoid substance abuse. Use or increased use of alcohol or other drugs is a common means of attempting to soothe oneself in the aftermath of trauma.  It doesn't work.  Alcohol, in particular, is a depressant that usually makes you feel worse after it has left your body. 

• Keep a journal.  Make some notes to yourself about how you're doing and feeling.

• Create a ritual.  When words are inadequate, light a candle, buy some flowers, visit a cemetery. 

• Cut yourself some slack.  In one sense, these terrible events may lessen the impact of things that might normally be bothersome.  On the other hand, if you're already dealing with a lot, this may be more than you can cope with.  Seek ways to make life easier for a while.  Make sandwiches for dinner.  Cancel some meetings.  Go to bed early.  Don't take on any more commitments. 

• As the media reports on the needs of the local community, make a note of volunteer opportunities and decide where you can make the greatest impact. 

• Thank the crisis workers in your community.  Emergency responders, even those miles away from the scenes of the tragedies, are reminded again of their personal and professional vulnerability and the ease in which a similar tragedy could befall their own community. 

• Take advantage of opportunities to provide emotional and practical support to families of emergency responders.  The consequences of difficult work and unpredictable hours, as well as concerns about personal safety are part of life for a responder's family.  

Victim assistance groups say that children are especially vulnerable to the trauma and unforgettable images from the tragedy.  Children approximately five and under won't fully understand what has happened, but will pick up on the reactions of those around them.  Adolescents will respond much the same as adults. Most importantly: 

• Children deal with trauma in small segments.  Answer questions honestly, but don't force a child to talk if he or she doesn't want to.  Share feelings of sorrow, but not, more intense reactions such as horrr.  Monitor their television viewing and discuss what they are seeing. 

• Be available to your children; be generous with your time and love. 

• Encourage sleeping with favorite toys or blankets, and a nightlight. 

• Help children with a project like collecting toys or dolls for those children who are experiencing a loss, or writing them letters. 

• Encourage young children to reenact to what happened through play or artwork.  It can be empowering for children to rescue people and put out fires with toy fire trucks.  

For many of us, the events of September 11 may be etched in our minds forever.  It is our hope at MADD that our experience in working with victims has enabled us to provide some useful suggestions for healing the spirits of our community.  

Have a safe and peaceful holiday season! 

15^th Annual Recognition Awards

In November, approximately 300 people joined us in awarding awards to local law enforcement officers, prosecutors and volunteers.  

MADD's Community Service Award went to an officer with the Santa Ana Police Department for implementing and coordinating the O.C. DUI Task Force.  

The T & O Group was awarded the Corporate Diamond Service Award (see story below).  An officer with the O.C. Sheriff s Department was presented with the Individual Diamond Service Award for the overall achievement fostering the prevention of DUI tragedies.  Appreciation was also expressed for this year's Deuce Award Recipients.  

The 2001 President's Award went to the California Office of Traffic Safety, which has enabled law enforcement agencies and victim assistance providers to continue their vital work.  

These honorees make a significant difference in the lives of others by going above and beyond the call of duty.  We believe that recognition is the key to motivating others to follow the paths of these award recipients.  We at MADD recognize the importance of outstanding leadership and the value it has for the safety of all of us.  

We gratefully acknowledge support from Mitsubishi Motors and the California Office of Traffic Safety, who made this event possible.  At the luncheon, Mitsubishi Motors announced their new partnership with MADD in the "Pasa Las Llavas" ("Pass the Keys") educational media campaign. 

In addition to these sponsors, we also appreciate all of our corporate sponsors and contributors as well as everyone who bought tickets or advertising space in our program book.  

Our silent auction baskets, as well as the door prizes that we distribute are filled with beautiful items donated by contributors too numerous to list here, but all very, much appreciated.  

Many thanks also to our wonderful friends of the National Charity League, Yorba Linda chapter.  Their hours of hard work at the luncheon make us look good every year! 

Thank you to everyone who encourages our efforts year after year.  

It's all about saving lives and preventing injuries!

Crashed Car- Program Update! 

The Crashed Car was formally presented — complete with artwork and signage — at our annual luncheon.  

The car is now available to schools, law enforcement agencies, and other venues for display. It can be reserved by calling the MADD office at (714) 838-6199.  

Please spread the news to all who you believe may find this to be a useful tool! 

Debut of MADD, Orange County's New Media Campaign! 

Irvine's renowned advertising agency, The T & O Group, donated their talents to MADD, creating fabulous artwork to raise awareness about the consequences of driving under the influence, without using the phrase "don't drink and drive."  

We were so pleased with their efforts that we presented The T & O Group with MADD Orange County's Corporate Diamond Service Award at our Annual Luncheon!   

Staff members at MADD Orange County also put their heads together and created one of their own designs to emphasize that DUI includes more than just alcohol. 

MADD will soon be launching our new media campaign, displaying the full color artwork on billboards and bus shelters throughout the county for most of the 2002 calendar year!  This campaign is made possible through a generous grant from UCI's Calsafe Coalition funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety and the donation of ad space by Clearchannel Outdoor.  

Artwork has also been made available by Mitsubishi Motors and the Allstate Foundation in the form of posters and mouse pads for use in our community. 

Join MADD and UCI Calsafe O.C. Safe Communities at the billboard unveiling of MADD’s new DUI campaign! Monday, January 28, 2002 

For more information or to obtain posters, please contact our office at (714) 838-6199. 

United Way Donor Option Program 

The United Way Community Campaign allows donors to make a charitable giving choice that suits each individual's social concerns.  Donors can designate MADD, Orange County on the line "Other Qualified Nonprofit Organization."  We truly appreciate those who have made the choice to give directly to our chapter.  Their gifts have enabled this chapter to make a difference! 

Vehicle Donations 

Running or not, you can donate your vehicle to benefit MADD, Orange County!  To donate your vehicle to MADD, call Michael Reese Enterprises toll free at 1 (888) 489-3662. To obtain a receipt for the 2001 calendar year, all vehicle donations must be received on or before December 31, 2001. 

Year-End Donations 

All donations to MADD, Orange County go directly toward programs that help make our streets safer for all of us. Year-end donations must be postmarked no later than December 31, 2001 to receive a receipt dated for the 2001 calendar year; such donations with your Mastercard or Visa will also be accepted until December 31, 2001. 

Crashes aren't "Accidents"

DUI victims know that alcohol-related incidents are not accidents.

MADD replaces "accident" with words like "crash" or "collision."

This page is http://www.maddorangecounty.org/news/Dec2001.htm 

Page updated: August 12, 2005

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