First Lady Raises Funds for New Alcohol Awareness Program

July 29, 2013

(This article was released by the office of Gov. Matt Mead.)

In November, First Lady Carol Mead will lead a team of marathon runners in the ING New York City Marathon to raise money for the Wyoming Remember the 8 Endowment.

The endowment honors the memory of the eight University of Wyoming student athletes who tragically lost their lives when their vehicle was struck by a drunk driver in September 2001. The new permanent endowment will support programs that aim to prevent the use of alcohol among high school students, and encourage college students -- who are of legal drinking age and use alcohol -- to be responsible in their use.

“The opportunity to establish a Wyoming charity team in this year’s ING New York City Marathon will be a good way to build momentum behind some of the efforts and programs to prevent underage drinking in our communities throughout the state,” said First Lady Mead, who continues to emphasize the importance of healthy lifestyles among children, including avoiding risky behaviors like using drugs and alcohol, as part of her children’s issues initiative.

The Wyoming Remember the 8 Endowment will be administered by a partnership that includes the First Lady, the University of Wyoming Foundation, UW AWARE (Alcohol Wellness Alternatives, Research and Education program), and UW student government. Funds will be disseminated on a competitive basis through mini-grants to individual students and student organizations from the University of Wyoming; community colleges and Wyoming high schools that are taking leadership roles to prevent the use of alcohol among high school student;s and to emphasize the responsible use of alcohol for college students of legal drinking age. The permanent endowment will be established with the $3,000 raised by each runner on the team.

“I am pleased to be working with the University of Wyoming on this project,” Mrs. Mead says. “I hope it will have a tangible impact among our young people throughout the state.”

More information about the endowment, the AWARE Program and how prospective donors can contribute to the cause, can be found at http://www.crowdrise.com/universityofwyomingf. Runners are actively raising funds through Sept. 15.

The AWARE program strives to utilize best practices in providing drug and alcohol education and prevention programming for the University of Wyoming campus and community. It promotes a standard of wellness in regard to healthy choices surrounding alcohol use and the prevention of illicit drug use by college students.

The UW Foundation enhances excellence and distinction at the University of Wyoming by securing private resources, delivering superior stewardship, and creating enduring relationships with all who share our pride in Wyoming's university.

The ING New York City Marathon, organized by the New York City Road Runners, is one of the world’s largest marathons and a pre-eminent annual long-distance race in the United States. With the exception of 2012, the race has been run annually since 1970.

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