Who Is Your Good News?

Dear Friends in Safety,

About 25 years ago Anne Murray had a hit with the song, “A Little Good News.” She dreamed of the day when the headlines read,

"Not much to print today, can't find nothin' bad to say",
becauseNobody robbed a liquor store on the lower part of town
Nobody OD'ed, nobody burned a single buildin' down
Nobody fired a shot in anger, nobody had to die in vain
We sure could use a little good news today…”

As the holidays approach, many of us might like to hear a little good news. With the New Year is about to arrive, Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 invites you to consider, "Who is your good news?"

Oftentimes when life gets tough, including when we are immersed in feelings about the loss of a loved one or how our job situation might change, it is the best time to focus on who is our good news. Is it family - your spouse, your child(ren), your parents, grandparents, your friends, your neighbors, your co-workers; perhaps a friendly clerk at the grocery store or post office?

As I consider the mission of Keep Kids Alive Drive 25, I am reminded that all the good news we have experienced in 10+ years is all wrapped up in people - yes, you! You are the person who cares for your family, your neighbors, for people you have not even met through your commitment to buckling up, to observing the speed limit (or going slower due as conditions dictate), stopping at stop signs, not tailgating, or not talking or texting on a cell phone while driving. Each of these actions expresses care for others as well as care for ourselves. When we practice these behaviors, we are much less likely to be behind the wheel and hurt or be responsible for the death of a fellow human being.

It is your care and concern behind the wheel, and for your passengers, along with pedestrians and cyclists, that has helped the death rate on our nation’s roadways to go down by 10% so far in 2008. Please see Fewer Loved Ones Dying in Traffic Crashes. This means that more than 3000 families have members they can share with in this holiday season.

However, it also means we must realize even greater good in growing our mission as over 30,000 families across America take time to remember the good and the love that their son, daughter, brother, sister, mom, dad, husband, wife, grandparent, or friend brought into their life before dying as a result of a motor vehicle crash this year. My hope for each of us as we enter 2009 is that we find much to be thankful for as we consider each and every person who is good news in our lives. And as we consider these “good news” people, we can make a pledge to engage in behaviors that will continue to bring more good news into our neighborhoods and communities. You can do so at "You Choose."

Have a safe and peaceful holiday, and may you give thanks for many people who are good news in your life.

In safety,
Tom Everson
Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 - A Non-Profit "For Action" Organization
402-334-1391
kkad25@kkad25.org
http://www.keepkidsalivedrive25.org/