"Cell-Off" to Keep Everyone Alive!

The 1st Ever National “Cell-Off!” 

Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 joins the National Safety Council – Omaha Chapter, the C.A.R. Alliance, and other partners in observing the first national “Cell-Off” on Wednesday, June 29th, 2011.


The goal? Turn off the phone and drive!  Just don’t use your cell phone for any reason at all while driving.


It’s amazing what could happen. You can do things like:

• Walk around your car to make sure no-one is behind you when backing up or in front of you before going forward – see “Kids and Cars.”
• Buckle up – Your hands are free to do so. Remember, “Seat Belts-FASTENATING!”
• Observe pedestrians in crosswalks, pedestrians of all ages, cyclists, and so many others
• Observe Stop signs correctly – Stop! Take 3 To See
• Observe all Traffic signals
• Observe posted speed limit signs, going slower when pedestrians/cyclists are present or when weather conditions warrant doing so
• Leave plenty of space between your vehicle and others – “It’s Not A Race! Create Space”

This is the opportunity we have all been waiting for – the chance for each of us to refine our driving skills.


E-mail kkad25@kkad25.org for a free "Cell-Off" flier to post at your office, school, civic organization, faith community, or community bulletin board at local businesses. Invite everyone to participate in the “Cell-Off.” The life saved may be your own or of someone you love.

In safety,
Tom Everson
Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 - A Non-Profit "For Action" Organization
Donate today at KKAD25 Donate
www.KeepKidsAliveDrive25.org

Celebrating Life Well-Lived: Keeping Memories Alive

Recently Wendy and I attended a "Celebration of Life and Friendship" in memory of Shannon Lloyd. Shannon died June 5, 2001 at age 7 from internal injuries sustained when she was hit as she began a short journey on her bike to visit a friend. Her mother was but a few feet away, and Shannon wore her helmet. Even so, a tragic incident occurred that impacted many lives.

Each year since her death, Shannon's parents, Anne and Russ, have gathered friends of Shannon together for a 'Celebration of Life and Friendship" in her honor and memory on the Saturday in June closest to June 5th. It has been amazing throughout the years to share this celebration and all the stories shared about Shannon and her continued influence on and presence in the lives of so many.

In my own experience, I have been privileged to have Shannon's life and spirit be a part of our annual "Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 Run to Remember" as part of the Pike's Peak Ascent Trail Race since 2007. Anne intimated that Shannon always liked to tell people to "run like the wind." During our first "Run to Remember," a gentle breeze stirred across my face about half-way up the 13.3 mile trail on Pike's Peak. For me, it was a stirring reminder of Shannon's presence and encouragement. It continues as a fond memory each time I trek the Peak.

Life has been challenging for Shannon's family, as it is for any family moving forward from the gloom and grief of a tragic death. Yet, the celebration of her life and friendship each year re-charges the spirits of all involved reminding us of the goodness and love Shannon shared in her 7 years on earth, and of her continued invitation to us all to be thankful for the blessings of each and every family member and friend that graces our lives each day.

If you are a member of a family who has experienced a sad, tragic death due to a traffic incident, or any other circumstance or illness, perhaps initiating your own celebration of life and love in honor of and memory of your loved one is just what is needed to bring family and friends together. Why? To share fond memories as well as stories about the positive ways that your loved one has influenced, and continues to influence, your life and the lives of so many others.

I believe that when it comes to creating our own celebrations of life that Shannon would like us to take the idea and "run like the wind" to make it happen.

In gratitude for the gift of each and every life,

Tom Everson

Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 - A Non-Profit "For Action" Organization

www.KeepKidsAliveDrive25.org

What's In A Name? Keeping Love and Memories Alive

What's in name?

Every parent who has ever named a child knows that a name is more than just the letters that make up that name. Each and

every name represents a whole person - with a unique face and other physical features, imagination, personality, love to share, and memories to make.

These are the names of loved ones whose family and friends asked that we run to remember as we trek up Pike's Peak for our annual "Run to Remember."

Andrew Brumback, Age 8, Westminster, CA
Emily Jasmine Ranyak, Age 18, MerrittIsland, FL
Gabby Mair, Age 12, Deltona, FL
Brandon McPherson, Age 16, Weatherby Lake, MO
Myles McCarron, Age 16, Lunenburg, MA
Conor Lynch, Age 16, Van Nuys, CA
Anna Diffenderfer, Age 2, Perkiomenville, PA

Nicolas Riconosciuto, Age 5, Ormond Beach, FL

Justin Faust, Age 9, Lees Summit, MO

Kyle Foster, Age 10, Mesquite, TX
Stephen Loder, Age 5, Commerce Township, MI
Stephanie Loder, Age 8, Commerce Township, MI

Lisa Xavier, Age 6, Menlo Park, CA

Shannon Lloyd, Age 7, Omaha, NE

Shannon Ventry, Age 7, Omaha, NE

Shaye Martin, Age 8, Doral, FL

Stephen Richard Schroder, Age 10, Fort Thomas, KY

Landon Bos, Age 7, Norfolk, NE

Sierra Feaster, Age 10, Lanoka Harbor, NJ
Tia Townsend, Age 11, Shoreline, WA

Graeme Preston Age 12, Freehold NJ

Kevin Clawson, Age 13, Freehold, NJ
Melissa Tindell, Age 13, Panama City, FL

Aaron David Sumner Brock, Age 7, Haughton, LA

Tyler Tscheschlog, Age 14, Forest Hill, MD

Anthony Henry, Age 14, Yardville, NJ
Nicole King, Age 14, Katy, TX

Nick Peters, Age 15, Wahoo, NE
Kyle Clark, Age 16, Wahoo, NE
Anthony Rizzo, Age 16, New York, NY
Caleb Koke, Age 17, Austin, TX

Ashley Steffan, Age 17, Waukesha, WI
Ashley Smith, Age 17, Scotrun, PA

Cady Ann Reynolds, Age 17, Omaha, NE
Jacqueline G. Becker, Age 17, Cape May County, NJ
Christina M. Becker, 19, Cape May County, NJ
Kimberly Hoover, Age 18, Barberton, OH
Ian Taggart, Age 19, La Veta, CO
Nadia Chowdhury, Age 20, Naperville, IL
Erika Kelly Anstett, Age 20, Redford, MI
Natalie DeLeon, Age 21, Springfield, MA
Blake Goodman, Age 21, Wakefield, MA

Nikki Simonson, Age 5, Phoenix, AZ

Gia Marie Kakas, Age 21, Hamilton, NJ
Matt Schmill, Age 23, Omaha, NE
Robb Morast Jr, Age 25, Spring Branch, TX
James Davis, Age 29, White Bear Lake, MN
Holbrook Mann MacNeille, Age 66, Cleveland, OH
Mary Anne Nortrup, Age 67, Ottawa, IL

Join us in celebrating the love and memories that make up the names and faces of each of those we run to remember. Make your support known through your contribution to the mission of Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 at "Run to Remember-Donate." Every name printed on the "Run to Remember" shirts sent to surviving family members makes these much more than just a simple t-shirt. Each name shares a unique story of love and life shared with family, friends, classmates, neighbors, and even events where paths cross with people never formally met.

If you know of other loved ones who have died in traffic incidents who you would like to be remembered as part of the "Run to Remember," please e-mail Tom@kkad25.org or call 402-334-1391.