Clarion-based Awareness Program Recognized as Non-Profit

 

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A Clarion County program – “Brandon’s Dad” - which advocated not drinking intoxicated during the third-annual “Safe Driving Awareness Day” at West Shamokin High in April has received non-profit status.

Vernon Hilyer, the man behind Brandon’s Dad and www.DUIawareness.com, was pleased to announce the organization’s status update last week. Hilyer has worked continuously toward preventing wrecks, injuries, and deaths associated with those driving under the influence since his son, Brandon, tragically died in a DUI-related accident in September 2008.

Hilyer began his work that same year by volunteering with MADD at Victim Impact Panels for DUI offenders in three counties, but transitions to speaking to students at regional schools in Spring 2009 with the title of Brandon’s Dad. He started with the seven schools in Clarion County and was asked by the Pennsylvania State Police to speak at the two Forest County schools.

More than a dozen Clarion County billboards were purchased and installed at that time and many are still up today advocating safe driving habits.

The “Brandon’s Dad” school program is a one-hour PowerPoint with pictures depicting Hilyer’s son, Brandon, in his life as an all-American student athlete who eventually succumbed to the disease of addiction. The program contains powerful pictures of the vehicle Brandon was driving the night he died.

Many students have emailed or noted on Facebook that the program has changed the attitudes of those at their schools.

Besides at West Shamokin and other regional school districts, Hilyer has spoken at the Students Against Destructive Decisions Fall Seminar at Seven Springs Resort, speaks regularly at detention centers and DUI classes in Clarion, Jefferson and Clearfield counties and appeared at the Clarion County Fair, the Clarion Autumn Leaf Festival, and the Crawford County Fair with various simulators to help participants understand the difficulties one encounters when functioning under the influence.