Dedicatedd, BADD Join Victims of Drunk-Driving Crashes to Promote Awareness, Raise Funds

Marge Lee, a survivor of a drunk-driving accident who serves as the president of Dedicatedd, a Long Island anti-drunk driving group, speaks with Keith Rabinowitz, the son of Stanley Rabinowitz, a limousine driver who was killed in an alcohol-related crash on the Meadowbrook Parkway in July.

Dedicatedd, a local organization that works to eliminate drunk-driving, and Bartenders Against Drunk Driving (BADD) joined with survivors of drunk-driving accidents and families who have relatives of alcohol-related crashes in announcing Aug. 31 a series of efforts to raise funds and awareness as Labor Day Weekend neared.

Survivors of drunk-driving crashes and family members who lost loved ones in such tragedies were at the event, which was held at Posh Ultra Lounge inside The Garden City Hotel. Among them were Barbara Ross (sister killed); Robin Grosswirth (crash survivor); Louis Miranda (son killed); Keith Rabinowitz, who lost his father, limousine driver Stanley Rabinowitz, in a drunk-driving crash July 4 on the Meadowbrook Parkway; and members of the Flynn and Tangney families, who were victims of the same D.W.I. crash.

Joseph Carletto, president of US Limousine, speaks about driver Stanley Rabinowitz as victims of alcohol-related crashes look on.

"It is time to let those who have lost a loved one or been injured by the crime of drunk driving to know that they are not forgotten," Joseph Carletto, president of US Limousine, the company for which Rabinowitz drove, said. "Most Long Islanders personally know someone who has been devastated by this preventable crime. It is time for all Long Islanders to join in the fight to save lives."

Dedicatedd president Marge Lee, a D.W.I. crash survivor and a leading voice in the anti-D.W.I. movement for the past decade, Carletto and Brian Rosenberg, president of BADD, urged motorists to not drink and drive.

Lee also announced the sale of bracelets, like the yellow LiveStrong bands popularized by famed cyclist Lance Armstrong, which will promote awareness of the consequences of drunk driving and efforts to curb intoxicated persons from getting behind the wheel. The bracelets are $3 each and members of BADD have pledged to wear the bracelets in an effort to promote their sale.

"All life is precious and [if we are] united, we will stop the killing and maiming of innocents," Lee said. "At Senator Charles J. Fuschillo's Fourth of July press conference, we begged the public not to drink and drive. Some people didn't listen and all of Long Island witnessed the resulting devastation. We are here today to beg once more. Help us save a life."

At the same time, BADD announced plans for its annual evening to benefit the Edward Hernandez Memorial Fund, to take place at The Garden City Hotel this Saturday, Sept. 10. Hernandez was a police officer killed in a motor vehicle accident.

For more information about purchasing bracelets, call Dedicatedd at 352-7990.