MADD ceremony set Monday

The parish MADD Chapter invites all who have been directly affected by a drunk driver to attend a “Light of Hope” observance ceremony at 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 8. The ceremony will be held at the Lamp Post Event Center at 735 Main St. in Franklin.
Featured will be a solemn time of recognition and remembrance for all of those who have been affected by a drunk driver.
The MADD Chapter encourages any and everyone whose life has been changed by a drunk driving crash to attend and light a candle in honor or memory of their loved one.
Guest speaker for the ceremony will be 16th Judicial District Judge Ed Leonard who has been an avid supporter of MADD.
Also part of the ceremony will be a time to honor the “Top Cops” of St. Mary from the seven parish law enforcement agencies, as well as State Police Troop I. These officers are being honored for their diligence in removing impaired drivers from our roads and highways.
Statistics show that unfortunately there are many people in and around St. Mary Parish who have been directly affected by a drunk driver. Families have been torn apart; lives have been lost; debilitating injuries prevail; not to mention the high cost of automobile insurance and medical expenses.
For these reasons and more, the local MADD Chapter is joining cities and towns across America to promote the National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month Campaign, an initiative of the National Highway Safety Commission.
This annual event is open to the public. St. Mary Parish MADD members encourage everyone to attend.