The purpose of this website is to simply do what is says, and that is help Justen to recover and cope with the effects of one person's bad choice to drink and drive.
On December 8, 2006, 7 year old Justin, his friend Patty and his family went out to dinner. As they were leaving the restaurant a drunk driver crashed into their car going 74 mph. Justen, his stepfather and his mother, who was 7 months pregnant at the time of the crash, were all injured. His best friend, 8 year old Patty was killed instantly. Since he recovered, he has made it his personal goal to try and stop drunk driving. For the last 2 years, he has participated in the Strides for Change / Walk Like MADD campaign to raise money in support for MADD and he has taken first place for the most money raised in the Friends / Family category. He has helped make a memorial playground at China Grove Elementary School in memory of Patty (Patty's Playground). A portion of the road where the accident occured (Highway 29N) is now part of the Adopt A Highway program, and he helps pick up trash along the roadside.
This year, Justen is trying to collect $4.67 from everyone he can. Why $4.67? That represents a penny for every person killed in North Carolina last year. We are calling it the Pennies for Change campaign. All of the money goes to help support MADD in it's mission to stop drunk driving, support victims of this violent crime, and prevent underage drinking. For more information, click on the Pennies for Change tab.
