While Vermont this year had the lowest rate of fatalities in drunken driving crashes, in the past, we have had many, many people killed or injured in crashes involving drunk or drugged drivers. December is “Drunk or Drugged Driving Prevention” Month and one of the activities that happens during this month is the Southern Vermont Red Ribbon Tree, which is placed in the Diamond Run Mall in Rutland. The tree is a way of remembering the victims, those who have been killed or injured, in crashes involving drivers who were under the influence or alcohol or drugs.
The Red Ribbon Tree brings together all the stakeholders in the fight against this serious problem- police, fire, youth, victims, emergency medical services, hospitals, community anti-drug coalitions, court and court alternative programs, and legislators and other political leaders. The tree is dedicated at a ceremony and people attending the ceremony have an opportunity to remember friends or loved ones (or themselves) who were victimized by placing a red ribbon with the person’s name on it on the tree. Each organization can demonstrate their dedication to the cause by placing an ornament with the organization’s name on it on the tree.
The event was hosted by the Stafford Technical Center SADD Chapter, which includes the students in the Public Safety Services and Health Careers Academy and Jackie Fitz-Gerald, a student in the Architecture and Engineering Design Program. SADD members from the Fair Haven Union High School and Proctor High School Chapters and their advisors represented their schools, as did contingents from Otter Valley Union High School and their school resource officer, Anne Bandy, and Mill River Union High School and their school resource deputy Jen Czachor, and teacher Suzanne Striglia. Castleton State College was represented by two members of their SADD Chapter. Lt. David Notte, Sgt. Dave Lertola, and Troopers James Wilborn and Stephanie Shaw represented the Vermont State Police. The Rutland County Sheriff’s Department sent Deputies Lawrence Ynesta and David Fox.
The emergency medical services community had members of the Wallingford and Middletown Springs Squads in attendance. Community anti-drug coalitions, the Rutland Area Prevention Coalition, and the Black River Area Coalition, both had staff members, Tina Coltey and Brigid Sullivan, who spoke to the assembled group of their agencies’ efforts. Three staff members from Rutland County Court Diversion and Community Justice Center were also in attendance. Susan Lebel from the Rutland Regional Medical Center told of the hospital’s efforts and her personal experiences as an emergency room nurse. Lastly, Lawrence McLiverty, the Vermont SADD Coordinator spoke, and others shared their stories of how they were affected by a crash.
This event was planned and executed by members of the Stafford Technical Center SADD Chapter; student Kyle Lenher, a junior from Proctor High School, was the overall Project Director. He was assisted by Sarah Grimes, a senior from Otter Valley Union High School, who supervised her fellow Health Careers students. The tree will remain at the Diamond Run Mall during the holiday season so that others can remember those who have been lost to these crashes.