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The HERO Campaign recently held the 10th Anniversary Ensign John R. Elliott Memorial Dinner in Atlantic City, New Jersey, to benefit the HERO Campaign and the Ensign John Elliott Character Excellence Fund at the United States Naval Academy.  Attendees at the 10th Anniversary dinner included representatives of federal, state and local government; Major League Baseball and the National Football League; law enforcement; and the Naval Academy.
For a decade The HERO Campaign has worked closely with corporate supporters and sponsors including Mark Kramer, President of Kramer Beverage Company, a New Jersey beer distributor.  Kramer has served on the Board of Directors of the Hero Foundation since its inception in 2000. “Kramer Beverage encourages all consumers of adult beverages to use designated drivers wherever and whenever possible. We are very proud of our support of the HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers, a nationwide effort based in our South Jersey area.  The HERO Campaign is an important part of our overall commitment to responsible alcohol service at all levels of the beverage industry through server training and consumer education.”
Kramer added, “The Hero Campaign’s work with schools, professional sports teams and leagues, businesses, law enforcement agencies, MADD, and other community-based organizations helps keep impaired drivers off our highways.  We encourage donations to the HERO Campaign to support its life-saving message through highway billboards, and in schools, colleges, taverns and businesses throughout New Jersey and across the country.”
The HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers is named in memory of Ensign John R. Elliott, USN and promotes the use of sober designated drivers with its life-saving message: “Be a HERO. Be a Designated Driver.” Early on the morning of July 22, 2000, John Elliott was traveling home from Annapolis, Maryland, for his mother's birthday when he was killed by a drunk driver in a head-on collision. The person who struck Elliott’s car had been arrested by police three hours earlier and charged with driving while intoxicated. After two hours, he was released to a friend and then resumed driving. One hour later, his sport utility vehicle swerved into the oncoming lane and hit Elliott’s car, killing them both. 
The tragic accident occurred two months after Elliott graduated with merit from the United States Naval Academy, where he was named the Outstanding HERO (Human Education Resource Officer) of his class.  He was about to enter Naval Flight Officer training in Pensacola, Florida.
The campaign has been adopted by the U.S. Navy Fleet Forces Command along with the states of New Jersey, Delaware, Virginia and New York, and professional sports teams including: the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Giants, New York Jets and the New England Patriots.  The organization’s efforts led to legislation that allows law enforcement the power to impound the vehicles of those caught driving while intoxicated under “John’s Law.”
For more information, visit www.herocampaign.org.
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