Del’s teams with Katie DeCubellis Foundation to raise awareness of impaired, distracted driving

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Del’s Lemonade is synonymous with summertime fun in Rhode Island. The family-run company began in Naples, Italy, back in 1840, and since then they have become the Ocean State’s most popular frozen treat.

For the second year in a row, Del’s is helping to ice out impaired and distracted driving, teaming up with the Katie DeCubellis Memorial Foundation (KDMF).

“We are excited again about Del’s support for the KDMF this month,” Meg DeCubellis said, “and we are happy to partner with them by having our KDMF magnets on the Del’s trucks. Del’s is such a well-established, iconic Rhode Island brand, and so many people associate good summer memories with a delicious Del’s lemonade.”

Driving under the influence and distracted driving is a dangerous epidemic on America’s roadways. According to the Centers for Disease Control’s statistics in 2010, 10,228 people were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes, accounting for nearly one-third of all traffic-related deaths in the United States. In 2011, 3,331 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted driver, compared to 3,267 in 2010. An additional 387,000 people were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver in 2011.

Those startling statistics have propelled Rhode Island businesses and organizations to team up with the KDMF. AAA Southern New England, Almeida Plumbing, Big Blue Bug Solutions, Del’s Lemonade, Munroe Dairy, SeaScape, Wesco Oil, and Yard Works are all participants for the second year in this campaign to help keep the roadways safe.

“Last year’s auto magnet program was more successful than we ever imagined, as we received a lot of positive feedback. It was a simple but extremely effective way to generate awareness to thousands and thousands of drivers on our roadways about the consequences of drunk and/or distracted driving,” said John DeCubellis, the executive director of KDMF. “The auto magnet program is further enhanced by having a strong presence at this year’s Bristol Fourth of July Parade.”

John and Meg DeCubellis know firsthand of the devastating toll impaired driving can have on a family. On Oct. 29, 1999, a drunken driver killed 13-year-old Katie DeCubellis. Since then, the foundation has strived to raise awareness about the dangers of driving under the influence and distracted driving.

Each month, one or more establishments will place the KDMF magnets on their vehicles, helping KDMF to encourage the public to take notice. The goal is to raise awareness and also thank the organizations that are all so willing to donate some space on their vehicles. To date, KDMF has awarded more than $300,000 in school scholarships, donations and prizes.

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