Kenan Advantage Group Expands Partnership with MADD®
North Canton, OH, June 21, 2023 – There are very few people today who have not been touched by the tragedies associated with impaired driving. “There is never a day I don’t think of this,” said Tom Tomasheski, a 30+ year retired Lorain County Deputy. Tom’s 11-year-old grandson, Tommy, and his daughter-in-law, “Tammy”, were killed by an impaired driver in Northeast Ohio in 2011. Their lives were completely shattered by an event that could have been prevented.
On Tuesday, June 13th, Kenan Advantage Group (KAG) and Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) partnered together to support MADD’s “Campaign 911.” The campaign is aimed at empowering the public to call 911 to report suspected impaired drivers. According to Doug Scoles, Regional Executive Director for MADD, “Impaired driving is still the #1 cause of death on our roadways. Every death or injury is 100% preventable and unnecessarily impacts friends, family members, and loved ones.”
During the event, Mr. Tomasheski provided a heartfelt and impactful message to attendees which included KAG’s corporate office employees, local first responders and community leaders. His ability to relive and share the most painful day of his life to bring awareness to others did not go unnoticed by the crowd, resulting in many shed tears. At the end of the presentation, Tom and his wife Debbie unveiled a decal honoring their daughter-in-law and grandson which is being placed on the back of KAG trailers throughout Northeast Ohio. The decal encourages motorists to report impaired driving by calling 911.
The event also honored local first responders and local leaders who work every day to help prevent further tragedies caused by impaired driving. Grant Mitchell, KAG President and Chief Operating Officer, addressed the attendees saying, “This is a compelling cause for KAG as we have thousands of professional drivers on the roads 24/7 throughout North America. We are proud and excited about our partnership with MADD as we work together to raise awareness and help provide education to the motoring public about the irreversible impact of impaired driving.”
About Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Founded in 1980 by a mother whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver, Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) is the nation’s largest nonprofit working to end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes, and prevent underage drinking. MADD has helped to save more than 400,000 lives, reduce drunk driving deaths by more than 50 percent and promote designating a non-drinking driver. MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving® calls for law enforcement support, ignition interlocks for all offenders, and advanced vehicle technology. MADD has provided supportive services to nearly one million drunk and drugged driving victims and survivors at no charge through local victim advocates and the 24-Hour Victim Help Line 1-877-MADD-HELP.
Pictured L to R: Lieutenant Doug Cardwell, North Canton Police Department, Captain Rich Rhodes, North Canton Fire Department, Stephan Wilder, North Canton Mayor, Grant Mitchell, KAG President and COO, Doug Scoles, MADD Regional Executive Director, Tom Tomasheski, retired Lorain County Deputy and father-in-law and grandfather of the victims, Debbie Tomasheski, mother-in-law and grandmother of the victims, Charlie DeLacey, KAG CEO, Ralph Lee, KAG CHRO
