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Mason helping MADD 'tie one on for safety'

Steve Mason (second from left), a volunteer with Mothers Against Drunk Driving, ties a red ribbon on a Huntington County Sherriff's Department vehicle on Friday, Dec. 4, as part of MADD's "Tie One On For Safety" campaign.
Steve Mason (second from left), a volunteer with Mothers Against Drunk Driving, ties a red ribbon on a Huntington County Sherriff's Department vehicle on Friday, Dec. 4, as part of MADD's "Tie One On For Safety" campaign. Photo by Matt Murphy.

Each holiday season has images of joy and cheer, as well as celebrations, get-togethers and parties, as friends and families travel to reunite to observe the time of year. But at the same time, thousands are affected by the increased deaths and injuries related to drunken driving.

The national Mothers Against Drunk Driving organization conducts the "Tie One On for Safety" campaign during November and December to raise awareness about the in-creased risk of accidents related to intoxicated drivers. One local man has spearheaded the campaign's arm in Huntington County.

Steve Mason, a resident of Huntington, became active with MADD after his son, Chris, was killed by a drunk driver in 2005. Mason has teamed up with local law enforcement and Leon Hurlburt, Huntington County coroner and coordinator of the Drive Alive Campaign in Huntington County, to emphasize the "Tie One On for Safety" campaign locally.

According to statistics compiled by MADD, more than 1,000 people die each year in drinking-and-driving-related incidents during the holiday season, and in all of 2007, nearly 13,000 people perished in similar collisions.

Supporters are encouraged to pick up a red ribbon that can be attached to a car's antenna or attached to the interior windows of vehicles.

The Huntington County Sheriff's Department and the Huntington City Police Department have attached ribbons to each of their squad cars. Ribbons can be obtained for free at IMG Insurance Services in Huntington, the Huntington County Sheriff's Department and the Huntington City Police Building.

For more information, visit www.madd.org, or contact Steve Mason at IMG to get involved.

Complete caption: Steve Mason (second from left), a volunteer with Mothers Against Drunk Driving, ties a red ribbon on a Huntington County Sherriff's Department vehicle on Friday, Dec. 4, as part of MADD's "Tie One On For Safety" campaign to raise awareness of increased drunken driving statistics during the holiday season. Also present are Huntington County Coroner and Coordinator of the Drive Alive Campaign in Huntington County Leon Hurlburt (far left); Tom Emley (second from right), Huntington chief of police; and Tom Carney (far right) of the Huntington County Sheriff's Department.