Project LINK- Kelsey Mulhausen

1.    I volunteered my time helping with Lauren’s 5K Run/Walk on the Panther Trail. My friend Maggie Geraci was in charge of the whole run/walk. I assisted her with planning and contacting people to donate. The run/walk was for my friend that recently passed away this summer. She was hit by a drunk driver while crossing a crosswalk.

2.    

      The service activity reflected concepts learned in the FCS course by helping Lauren’s family and raising money for Mother’s Against Drunk Driving (MADD). We raised more than $1,200 for the cause. These families involved with MADD suffer from the loss of a loved one because of a selfish decision of the person that drove drunk. Lauren was an FCS major with a concentration in Dietetics.

3.  

             I helped Maggie call people to donate food or water for the run/walk. Many people wanted to help for the cause. Also, I helped her collect money and order t-shirts for everyone to wear at the 5K. I gained respect for a lot of people that could not make the actual event, but still donated money to the cause. Maggie did such a great job organizing the event, it was stressful to have to deal with every aspect of doing it, but she trucked through and had a very positive outcome.

4.    

      Lauren’s 5K had a very positive effect on everyone who participated. I think it helped Lauren’s family as well because it showed them how many people truly cared for Lauren and wanted to help with the cause. A lot of people showed up and donated to MADD. Over $1,200 was raised and all went to a great cause. I think it definitely raised awareness for drunk driving. Drunk driving is something that occurs in college towns and I think this tragedy brought this issue to attention of how terrible of a decision it is.

5.    

       I think this was a really rewarding activity to get involved with. It was for someone that I care about and raised money for a great cause. I think everyone that attended had a great time and was a time to reflect on all the good times with Lauren. She was such a fun loving person and being there with her family and friends was a great way to celebrate her life. I think after her death it was a real eye opener for most people. She was killed after a night out with her friends, innocently walking across a cross walk. She was struck by a drunk driver and was killed. In a college town, I think it is unfortunately common for someone to think they are okay to drive home from a party after drinking. But in reality, it is never a good decision and there are always other options. I was happy to be involved with such a great cause and glad it turned out to be such a success.