Tyler

Mothers Against Drunk Driving will host its annual "Tie One on for Safety" event for community leaders and volunteers Tuesday in Tyler.

MADD's East Texas Region will honor Difference Maker Award recipients, who will be Charlene "Cam" McCabe, Tyler Municipal Court administrator; Tina Loper, MADD victim impact panel speaker; Kim Harvey-Livingston, licensed professional counselor and University Mothers Against Drunk Driving sponsor at The University of Texas at Tyler; and Dr. Scott Norwood, East Texas Medical Center's director of trauma services.

A special recognition for outstanding leadership in the community will be given to 241st District Judge Jack Skeen Jr., Sheriff J.B. Smith, Tyler Police Chief Gary Swindle, District Attorney Matt Bingham and Texas Department of Public Safety Capt. Audra Livingston.

The fourth annual event will include a light lunch beginning at 11 a.m. and a program and awards ceremony from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday at Peltier Nissan, located at 3201 WSW Loop 323 in Tyler.

Skip Ogle, of Suddenlink Communications, will be master of ceremonies while distinguished speakers at the event will be Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass, Sydney Capello, Miss Teen Texas 2008; Dr. William Moore, ETMC-Emergency Medical Services regional medical director; Laura Dean-Mooney, MADD national president; Smith County District Attorney Matt Bingham; Lisa Spooner, CBS 19 television news anchor; and Kirk Brown, state legislative committee.

"Tie One on for Safety" runs from Thanksgiving through New Year's Day, when road travel increases, along with the threat of drunken driving.

Each year, more than 1,000 people in the country die during the holiday season in drunken driving crashes. Last year, there were 24 fatalities and 508 injuries in Smith and Gregg counties.

The campaign asks the public to tie a red ribbon or place a MADD ribbon decal on their vehicles as a pledge to drive safe, sober and buckled up during the holidays and throughout the year. Activities to support the campaign are organized by a majority of MADD's 400 offices across the country, according to a prepared statement.

MADD's mission is to sop drunken driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking.

For more information, call: 903-534-6000.

Updated Monday, Nov. 17, 2008 at 3:44 p.m. CST