Christmas Parade Report

by Kathy Miller

RID was represented in the Oak Ridge Christmas Parade, Saturday, December 3, 2005. Quality Towing Service honored their agreement with Board member, Mark Scarbrough, to obtain a demolished car which was wrecked by an impaired driver and tow it on a wrecker in the parade. The large RID banner was on the side of the wrecker. I rode in the cab with the driver, Jerry Wilcox, and two young aides, Rebecca and Cody. The car was displayed almost at the end of the parade, which still gave it impact, but did not significantly lessen the holiday festivities. I saw many parents and grandparents taking time to explain to their gawking little ones the significance of the mangled wreck. Board member, Peggy Hanaver, was kind enough to stop by and take some photos of the RID exhibit before the parade got underway.

Although this addition to the parade was not very “Christmasy,” if it made even one adult or teen stop to think before driving impaired or getting into the car of an impaired driver over the holidays, being in the cold and rain is more than worth-while. Quality Towing has offered to keep this car on their lot and use it for us again next year, if RID so desires (The RID Board voted yes to this generous offer.) They deserve a big thank-you for their civic-mindedness and concern for the community.