The new Mothers Against Drunk Drivers chapter for Estevan was officially launched during a ceremony at City Hall on Tuesday morning.
Bringing a MADD chapter to Estevan was among the recommendations that stemmed from a meeting in the city in February to curb impaired driving. There was a search to have someone step forward to be the co-ordinator, and Connie Hagel agreed to do so.
A long-time resident of Estevan, she thought it would be a good way to give back.
“It’s really close to my heart, because I’m a mom and a grandmother, and I thought I could do something about impaired driving in this community,” said Hagel.
She doesn’t have any board members as of yet, but Hagel is looking forward to being involved with the police in combatting impaired driving.
“I’m going to be at police check stops,” said Hagel. “I’m going to be at Bruins games. I’m going to be reminding people that I’m going to be there, or my volunteers are going to be there.”
Ideally there would be a five-person board, she said, that would meet once a month.
Michelle Okere, the regional manager for Saskatchewan with MADD, said it is important to have a chapter in Estevan.
“We saw that this southeastern area of the province really did have a need for it. Additionally, you had a community that certainly was poised for change and open to welcoming us in, and having that support, which is a big part of it,” said Okere.
Hagel will have access to all of the resources MADD has to offer.
Okere believes MADD has the right person in place in Estevan with Hagel.
Representatives from the City of Estevan, MADD Canada, the Estevan Police Service, Estevan RCMP, Estevan Fire Rescue Service, Estevan Emergency Medical Services and SGI were in attendance for Tuesday’s launch.
