ARIZONA IN ACTION! KEEP KIDS ALIVE!

ARIZONA IN ACTION!

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,
committed citizens can change the world.
Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
Margaret Mead

Dear Friend in Safety,

This note is about “Arizona in Action!” The story of the growth of KEEP KIDS ALIVE DRIVE 25® in Arizona is a result of the many actions taken by residents, law enforcement, city neighborhood services, public works, and neighborhood/homeowners associations and watch groups over the past 10 years. Your efforts have made, and continue to make, a difference in keeping us all safer on neighborhood streets, and beyond.
Following are examples of “Arizona in Action.”

• Gary Greer, a retired detective with the Phoenix Police Dept., was the first to come on board to initiate KEEP KIDS ALIVE DRIVE 25® in his neighborhood. In 2001, he helped organize the first neighborhood KEEP KIDS ALIVE DRIVE 25® traffic safety forum for neighborhoods in Northwest Phoenix, at which I had the privilege of speaking.
• The Oro Valley Police Dept., with leadership from Officer Mike Stevenson, was the first community in AZ to develop a comprehensive plan for implementing KEEP KIDS ALIVE DRIVE 25® citywide (applying KKAD25 Decals to residential trash cans to engage all residents in getting the message out on the street). Read about the results Gary Greer’s, as well as Oro Valley’s efforts – cooperation between neighborhoods, police, the trash-hauler, the Boy Scouts, and the Tucson Electric Company (which underwrote the cost of the effort) at Organize to Cut Residential Speeding (A 13.5% reduction in average speed).
• The Public Works Department for the City of Tucson was the first in the State to integrate a bilingual aspect of the campaign into their neighborhood traffic safety efforts. Phoenix has also utilized this option.
• Neighborhood Services for the City of Phoenix has spearheaded the growth of the campaign in their neighborhoods. They have been the most active City Neighborhood Services Dept. in the U.S. in promoting the campaign.
• The Cities of Scottsdale and Avondale (Public Works), and El Mirage (Police) are the three most recent additions in integrating KEEP KIDS ALIVE initiatives into their neighborhood traffic safety programs.
• Joe Rios, a leader in his Tempe Neighborhood Watch Group, spearheaded introduction of the campaign into his neighborhood. He also engaged Paul’s ACE Hardware as a local corporate partner. For his efforts, he was recognized with an “Outstanding Citizen Award.”

Future Action!

We look forward to continue support of growth of our traffic safety initiatives as you act to create safer roadways for the benefit of everyone. Here are some ways that you can help.

• Invite your workplace to become a corporate sponsor/partner. Contact 402-334-1391 or Tom@kkad25.org to talk about possibilities.
• Be a catalyst for neighborhood/community involvement. All you need to get started is available for free at KKAD25 Start-up.
• Incorporate KEEP KIDS ALIVE DRIVE 25® into your local Safe Routes to School initiative. For more information on Safe Routes in Arizona, visit Safe Routes AZ.
• Invite your local school to help seed the campaign in your community through a KEEP KIDS ALIVE DRIVE 25® SCHOOL FUNDRAISER (Click here)
  Invite your local high school to create a safe-driving culture in their school - and in the community as well. (Click here to learn how)
• Your community can also benefit from on-site support to develop your community neighborhood traffic safety plan. Call 402-334-1391 or e-mail Tom@kkad25.org for information.

Thank you for all you do to make your neighborhood and community safer for all of us each day. And may you and all you care for have a safe, peaceful, and relaxing summer.

“Don’t Let the 2 Minutes You ‘Save’
Be the Last 2 Minutes of Someone’s Life.”
Adapted from David Townsend (Tia’s father)

In safety,
Tom Everson
Executive Director

KEEP KIDS ALIVE DRIVE 25® - A “For Action” Organization -501(c) (3)
kkad25@kkad25.org
www.KeepKidsAliveDrive25.org – Keep up with the latest at the KKAD25 Blog.

Keep Kids Alive Drive 25® and related logos and slogans (Be Aware! Drive With Care®, Check Your Speed®/No Need To Speed®, Stop! Take 3 To See®, Stop Means Stop®, Seat Belts-FASTENATING!®, and It’s Not A Race! Create Space©) are registered trademarks/copyrights of Keep Kids Alive Drive 25, P.O. Box 45563 Omaha, Nebraska, 68145. No other entities may use these or similar marks without prior permission. Call 402-334-1391 for information.