As
the turn of the century approaches, WRAP's executive committee,
board and staff have renewed their pledge to combat the drunk
or drugged driving issue in the Washington Metro area. A very
productive strategic planning session was held in May to set
a road map for the organization as it heads strongly into
the Millennium. The past fiscal year came to a successful
close, bringing closer WRAP’s future goals for continued improvement
and growth by strengthening and enlarging the number of our
core programs, increasing awareness of our lifesaving efforts,
educating more people about their role in traffic safety and
expanding efforts to larger geographic areas.
The calendar for the upcoming fiscal year is already lined
with many exciting events. In December, we will join forces
with the US Park Police in hosting WRAP's annual Holiday "Safe
Driving" Campaign. This year, however, several additions to
the effort will add to the festivities while generating new
funds for the organization’s efforts to stop impaired driving
and underage drinking. The event will be hosted for the first
time in the evening at the MCI Center’s National Sports Gallery
and will include a silent auction, featuring weekend get-aways,
entertainment tickets and other fun items. Additionally, WRAP
will present its second annual "Awards of Excellence" to law
enforcement officers recognizing their dedication to eliminating
impaired driving and underage drinking.
Throughout the year, WRAP’s SoberRideTM will continue
to be a vital program during other holidays, such as the Fourth
of July, Halloween and St. Patrick's Day. Also, we plan to
secure new sponsors, which will enable us to expand this lifesaving
program to include Labor Day & Memorial Day weekends, as well
as other high alcohol consumption periods.
WRAP is excited to announce the new relationship between their
Safe and Vital Employees (SAVE) program and the Network of
Employers For Traffic Safety (NETS). We will work together
to expand the SAVE program into more Maryland-based businesses,
as well as to increase statewide awareness of the impaired
driving issue.
Keeping tradition alive, WRAP will once again sponsor the
spring GEICO Student Awards Program, as well as work with
local SADD clubs to increase each schools student participation,
awareness and productivity of the clubs. Along these lines,
WRAP will continue to provide students with a safe alternative
to drinking by hosting alcohol-free teen parties to give youth
a fun, safe place to gather with their friends. Additionally,
WRAP’s national "Moment of Silence" will give youth pause
to celebrate life while remembering impaired driving victims.
August introduced a change in the WRAP staff and, the new
members have committed to WRAP's cause with equal passion.
Kurt Erickson, WRAP’s new executive director, promises to
continue WRAP's highly successful track record bringing extensive
experience and accomplishment as a leader in the non-profit
industry. Recently, he served as the executive director of
the American Lung Association’s Northern Virginia Chapter.
Elizabeth Fusakio, our new program coordinator, brings a strong
background in Spanish, journalism and interactive technology.
Their talents, combined with the skills and expertise of the
board, will help us reach more diverse groups and engage in
new technologies to spread the message.
Together, the WRAP executive committee, board and staff approach
the new millennium with a focused and determined attitude
to bring WRAP to higher levels of achievement and impact.
"WRAP has a very bright future," said Lon Anderson, WRAP Chairman
for the 2000 Fiscal Year. "It is a unique public and private
coalition that has led the way for the nation for how to attack
this pernicious problem of drinking and driving."
