SOMERS POINT – A pair of Mainland Regional High School (MRHS) students has created a new video for friends and peers, promoting the John R. Elliott HERO Campaign and its safety message, “Be a Hero. Be a Designated Driver.”
The video, which was recently added to the HERO Campaign’s YouTube channel and its website can be viewed online at https://herocampaign.org/video/hero-campaign-student-volunteer-video/.
The video marks the 20th anniversary of the campaign, created by the family of John Elliott of Egg Harbor Township, who was killed by a drunken driver two months after graduating from the United States Naval academy.
MRHS senior Bret Batohie and junior Rian Heal had included volunteer work on their summer to-do lists, but as with most plans amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, they feared any opportunities for community service might also be sidelined.
“I thought there would be no options for me this summer, other than maybe a summer job,” said Batohie. “But when Rian approached me about volunteering with the HERO Campaign, I was excited to help. This seemed like a natural extension of what I wanted to devote my time to, and service in general.”
Heal was already familiar with the HERO Campaign when she learned about the opportunity to help promote the campaign’s message through a video production, and she invited Batohie to partner with her.
“I first heard about volunteering for the HERO Campaign from a friend, and I was interested in the cause,” she said. “Then, my dad explained the history of the HERO Campaign, and why the [Elliott] family began their work, and I knew I wanted to be even more involved. My dad also attended the Naval Academy when John Elliott was there.”
The students recruited their peers from Northfield, Somers Point, and Linwood, capturing video footage of them at work, at play, and just hanging out. The result was a video gallery of students, donning HERO masks and shirts promoting designated driving and emphasizing the role of community service by young people.
“We want to thank Bret and Rian and all their friends who participated in this powerful and entertaining video promoting the HERO Campaign,” said HERO Campaign Chairman Bill Elliott. “Their video also encourages others to volunteer for the campaign and spread its highway safety message with their friends and families. We applaud their efforts to help us save lives by teaching their peers about the important role of designated drivers in preventing drunk driving tragedies.”
About the HERO Campaign
The John R. Elliott HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers was established by the family of Navy Ensign John R. Elliott of Egg Harbor Township, NJ, who was killed in a July 2000 collision with a drunk driver two months after graduating from the United States Naval Academy. The Campaign is now saving lives in seven states in partnership with law enforcement; schools and colleges; federal and state highway safety organizations; the licensed beverage industry; professional sports teams including the Philadelphia Phillies, the New York Football Giants, the New England Patriots and the New England Revolution; Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby; and Keeneland Race Course, home of the 2015 Breeder’s Cup. Since its inception in 2000, the HERO Campaign has grown into a major movement to prevent impaired driving that has received national recognition and awards. It has also helped to reduce alcohol-related fatalities and incidents, including a 35 percent reduction in DUI fatalities in New Jersey and other states over the past decade. For more information visit HEROcampaign.org or call (609) 626-3880.