Monmouth University senior Daniel Mangraviti of Holmdel, NJ, was named Designated Driver HERO of the Year at a ceremony held at Monmouth University on February 5. Daniel will be featured on HERO Campaign billboards located on the New Jersey Turnpike. In addition, he received a $300 Monmouth Mall gift certificate, a plaque and a HERO campaign tee shirt. Sarah Coff received the second place award, and Ryan Forrest received the third place award. Honorable mention was given to Cody Ster.
Tim Canavan and Nick Petitti, owners of Jack’s Goal Line Stand in Long Branch, received the Community Award for their outstanding work and dedication to saving lives by promoting the mission of the HERO Campaign for designated drivers. Jack’s has been a supporter of the Campaign for many years by serving free soft drinks to designated drivers and supporting Monmouth University HERO Nights. In addition, Mike and Laura Horne of Freehold, NJ, received the Community Award for their efforts to start up a HERO 5k in Monmouth County this year in memory of their son, Chad.
The HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers is dedicated to preventing drunken driving tragedies by promoting the use of safe and sober designated drivers. Established in October 2000 in memory of Navy Ensign John Elliott of New Jersey, the campaign has grown to become a national movement to save lives on our highways. Ensign Elliott was a May 2000 graduate of the United States Naval Academy who was killed in a head-on collision with a drunken driver on July 22, 2000.
Monmouth University adopted the HERO Campaign in 2007 and is the model school for the program. Monmouth’s HERO Campaign promotes the use of sober designated drivers through clubs and organizations on campus.
For more information, contact Monmouth University Substance Awareness Coordinator Suanne Schaad at 732-263-5804 or visit herocampaign.org.