My son graduated from kindergarten yesterday. Sounds silly, doesn’t it? For our family, however, it was a huge milestone because Jared has autism. We never knew if he would be in a “regular” kindergarten class, let alone performing at or above grade level. So as my eight-year-old daughter, my mother-in-law and I sat in their elementary school gym with tears in our eyes, I felt so very fortunate. Not only because my son has come so far, but because my husband was their by my side to watch.

It is a strange thing how joyful occasions can bring upon such painful thoughts. While I watched my son in his little cap and gown, I was reminded that other families across our country were watching their little kindergarteners take their big steps…knowing that someone in their lives was missing. Lives that were needlessly taken away because someone did not pay attention while they were driving, decided to go drinking or do drugs and then got behind the wheel of a car or truck, or were driving too fast. One action, or lack thereof, can tear a family apart…and even ruin a child’s kindergarten graduation.

Families for Roadside Safety has recently met a milestone…four years. In four years we have come so far. We went from a nation almost totally unaware of the roadside dangers that our law enforcement and emergency and public service personnel face to a nation that is beginning to protect them. Yes, only beginning. In four years, we have seen over a sixty-percent increase in states with a Move Over Law! That sounds incredible and it is, but many of these states are forgetting something vitally important. The Move Over Laws do nothing without educating motorists about them. So, yes, this is only the beginning and we have quite a way to go.

Although many consider this a celebration, that we have come so far in raising awareness about Move Over Laws, we have only come so far for a reason…many have lost their lives to get us here and many more will be lost before it is over. All of our efforts are dedicated to those who have lost their lives, especially NC Troopers Calvin E. Taylor and Anthony G. Cogdill. Remember, our four year milestone also marks four years since Anthony was killed. Urge your communities, legislators, families and friends…educate motorists now…before it is too late…our lives depend on it.

A few updates!

If you have not done so already, PLEASE visit our new updated website! Thank you to E-Starr webhosting for an amazing job! Visit us at www.f-o-r-s.com OR www.familiesforroadsidesafety.org. Add us to your favorites list!

A few notes about our website:
Please take a moment to read a personal message from me on the “From Our Founder” page, especially if you are a member of NCSHP’s G-5.
You can post comments about our updates. If you think you have missed one of the e-mail updates that I send out, you can always go to our website archives!
DONATIONS! You can now make donations online via PayPal. Just click on “Make a Donation” on our homepage or visit the “Donation Info” page.
EBAY! If you love to EBay, you can sell items on EBay and donate a percentage of the sale’s proceeds to FORS. Click on the EBay tab on our homepage.
LINKS! If you want us to add your law enforcement, fire, emergency or towing related website to our site, please contact me with the link.
VIDEO and MEDIA! An amazing place to view photos of “struck-by” scenes involving law enforcement or emergency and public service personnel. Please note that we will NOT show any scenes involving a fatality to one of the aforementioned groups. If you have photos to add, please forward them to me.
APPROVE US! Please be sure that my e-mail address, Lara@f-o-r-s.com, is in your address book in order for us not to get blocked.

REMINDER…
The Calvin E. Taylor Toy Ride (http://www.calvinetaylortoyride.com/) will be held on Saturday, Sept. 8th. in Asheville, Waynesville and Sylva, NC. Please visit the website for more information. You can also access the site through our links page.

CORRECTION…
My apologies to Catawba County Fire Marshall David Pruitt. My last update said he was from McDowell County rather than Catawba. David and the Catawba County Fire and Emergency districts were very supportive at our presentation there in April.

SPEAKING OF…
Catawba County, NC. I received an incredible surprise a couple of weeks ago. I am always grateful for any donation we receive no matter how big or how small. However, I received one of the most touching donations to date from the Mountain View Volunteer Fire Department in Hickory, NC. Not only was the donation SIZEABLE, but included with it was a thank you letter signed by FIFTEEN of their members. I was brought to tears and was truly touched. Thank you Mountain View Volunteer Fire Department.

FUNDRAISERS…
We have not yet set a date for our next Fat Buddies fundrasier, but will send out an update as soon as we do. We will have a picture from last month’s event posted on the website soon.

Thank you again for all of your support. Please forward our updates to everyone in your address book…The life you save might be your own!