NEW YORK, Oct. 6, 2014 – Did you know that car crashes are the number one youth killer in the United States, with 390,000+ Americans injured or killed in distracted driving accidents each year? To raise awareness of this critical issue, the Chaffin Luhana Foundation is teaming up with five-time Paralympic medalist Stephani Victor to launch the Foundation’s first CLF DRiver AWareness (“DRAW”) Challenge.
The DRAW Challenge is designed to empower high school students to develop an effective awareness campaign to drive down distracted driving accidents in the U.S. Students, individually or in groups of two, along with an adult mentor, are encouraged to submit a video (up to 90 seconds long) that offers real-world solutions to combat distracted driving, either locally or nationwide. Submissions will be judged initially by social media voting, and then, ultimately, by a panel of nationally recognized judges and stakeholders. The winners — the 2015 CLF DRAW Challenge Scholars — will be announced in January 2016.
“The Chaffin Luhana Foundation is committed to promoting student awareness about the perils of distracted driving,” said Eric Chaffin, co-founder of the Chaffin Luhana Foundation. “Our hope is that this competition will engage students in a dialogue about the importance of safe driving, educate them and their peers about the dangers of distracted driving, and empower them to make a difference in their communities.”
The CLF DRAW Challenge Scholarship winners will be recognized at an honorees’ dinner during a life-changing weekend of skiing, mentoring and workshops in Park City, Utah, in March 2016.
“When people see me, they often conclude that becoming disabled could never happen to them,” said Victor. “Similarly, they believe they are immune to the consequences of driving distracted. How I share my story makes the consequences real and empowers students to take preventative action for themselves and educate others. Being of service has been the primary means for coping with my loss and I am grateful to serve in the role of CLF spokesperson.”
The Foundation’s video submission portal will launch later this year. In the meantime, high school students and the general public can learn more about the contest at www.ChaffinLuhanaFoundation.org.
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About the Chaffin Luhana Foundation
The Chaffin Luhana Foundation, established in 2010, encourages the development of human potential and supports community empowerment through the endowment of funds to deserving recipients, the creation of community-based enrichment projects, and the support of important scientific research that meaningfully impacts the under-privileged and sick in society. For more information, please visit chaffinluhanafoundation.org.
About Stephani Victor
Stephani Victor, spokesperson for the Chaffin Luhana Foundation, was 26 when she lost her legs as the victim of a distracted driving accident. Despite the loss, she went on to become a medal-winning Paralympic skier. Victor now works as a motivational speaker, helping those with physical challenges to realize their true strengths, while fighting to change public attitudes and perceptions about disability. For more information, please visit stephanivictor.com.