My daughter, Kori was killed by a drunk driver Dec of 1976. The Forget Me Not mission provides education to the public regarding not drinking and driving. It's a message that needs to be delivered on a continual bases, as even one death due to drinking and driving is one too many. The mission also provides support and direction to the victims of drinking and driving. There isn't any other mission like this in Alaska and we have one of the hightest rates of drunk driving.
I lost my sister Kori in December of 1996. Kori was such an amazing person, a great big sister and a best friend. The Forget Me Not Mission II has help remember people that have been killed by a drunk driver and given the ones still alive a chance to speak out. They are all victims but they have faces, names and loved ones and I believe Forget Me Not Mission II gives everyone a chance to speak. They are no longer just a number. Forget Me Not Mission has also made it there mission to show that its not only drinking that can kill its any kind of impaired driving. I think that the Forget Me Not Mission makes a big impact in our community and I really dont know what we would do with out them.
The Forget me not mission is an incredible source of raising public awareness to perils of not only DUI, but also texting while driving or other careless driving habits. Their first book, Soul Shaking Grief, has been an incredible resource for allowing the public to peek into lives that have been shattered and impacted forever by the selfishness of drunk drivers. Nancy & Royal Bidwell work tirelessly often 10 hour days to insure that every person, both adult and teen, are made aware of the consequences of choosing to drink while impaired.
Many of my friends and family have had someone they loved or knew killed by a drunk driver. With this organization, I feel like I can give back to not only the community, but to the many people who have lost their lives to reckless drivers. The Forget-Me-Not-Mission-II has given me a real-life view of the dangers of careless driving. As a teen, I am now more aware of how dangerous this is. This organziation has helped me not only become better driver and help my community, it's also saving lives. The Forget-Me-Not-Mission- II should be promoted and shown everywhere, it's a valuable, non-profit organization that is committed to stopping the murders of innocent people. Nancy and Royal Bidwell work tirelessly to increase public awareness of this extreme danger.
My daughter was killed by a drunk driver in Anchorage in 1983. By starting this non-profit, it has been a very healing experience for me. I've helped a lot of other people through their experience of dealing with the loss, going to court and taking care of other family members and getting folks back to work.
The Forget Me Not Mission is inspiring in its commitment to actively fixing a problem through outreach. The cause is very real, and their Soul Shaking Grief books promote awareness through emotionally touching firsthand accounts as well as the bare facts associated with distracted driving. By working directly with the public, particularly young people, Forget Me Not gains a personal aspect that sets it apart from other well-meaning organizations. Dangerous driving can affect anyone, so it is up to every citizen to stay focused and sober behind the wheel. Forget Me Not brings awareness to the public through their publications, posters and presentations, and is contributing to a shift in values for what is acceptable when driving.
The work of this foundation is invaluable to all, but especially to young drivers. This foundation is working in collaboration with state high and middle schools to educate young drivers about the importance of safe choices while driving and how easily it is to be involved in distracted driving accidents. Their message is real and personal and I have witnessed the transformation their story makes when teens understand the reality of the devastation drunk and distracted driving causes. Their work makes kids aware and more importantly, makes them want to be involved in making others aware.
On August 30th 2001, my son and I were on our way home and hit by a drunk driver. My son died at the scene and I was treated and hospitalized.
Since we have had the privilege of being a part of this organization. I figure I was left here to do something and I have chosen to spread information about impared driving.
I was fortunate to have the opportunity to help this foundation put together their first publication with my high school journalism classes. It was an amazing experience for my students to work through the stories of victims of drunk driving and to be a part of such an influential publication. Many of my students shared how they had been inspired or touched by the stories of both the victims who passed on and those who survived and now face life-altering challenged. This foundation has a tremendously important message to share and I am excited to see their future publications!
I first came across the Forget Me Not Foundation through the social network facebook. I am very glad that I did. I am a victim of a drunken driving accident from many years ago, and when I saw the nature and purpose of what the foundation was all about I contacted them and friended them immediately. I shared my story with the founders of the foundation, the Bidwells, and they ask if I would share my story. I was glad to do so. My story and 100 others were included in a book they produced called "Soul Shaking Grief". It is an awesome culmination of stories from individuals and families whose lives have been disrupted som horribly as a result of drinking and driving.
The work goes on though, and sadly, it will probably not end in our life time. The Forget Me Not Foundation is an inspiration to many of us who have survived the wreckage of lives as a result of impaired driving. I know the Bidwells and the Foundation will carry this work on as long as they are breathing, and many of us in the community will continue to be right there beside them every step of the way.
God Bless and Keep The Forget Me Not Foundation.
I first got introduced with this organization by being approached as a student leader in the community. I was approached for input as to how to extend the message that drinking and reckless driving can ruin lives to other teenagers. Through many meetings and brainstorming other students and myself came up with new ideas to make the Forget Me Not Foundation projects appealing and impacting to students around the community. A book was produced earlier for the general public, but a new one is under construction geared towards the younger generation with more stories similar to their situation. This organization does a phenomenal job at reaching their target audience through discussion and interactions with the rising generation and sincerely attempting to get their message across to help teenagers and young adults make better life decisions.
The Forget Me Not Foundation which was founded by Royal and Nancy Bidwell, is an organization designed to create awareness of drunk and impaired driving in the State of Alaska. I am a former Alaskan and still visit the state occasionally. I have been aware of the immense problem with drunk and impaired driving there.
Royal and Nancy and their volunteer staff have devoted their time, money and efforts to educate and inform Alaskans about the cost in human lives that drunk driving has caused. I am especially aware of their book "Soul Shaking Grief" which gives accounts of accidents caused by drinking drivers and the victims both deceased and living who are impacted. The organization used high school journalism students in producing this book which literally changed the students' lives as they read the accounts of those affected.
Royal and Nancy have also been advocates for the families of victims of drunk drivers as they offered support by attending court cases and law making sessions where stricter laws were being proposed that would discourage drinking drivers.
I would highly recommend this organization as worthy of any campaigns they apply for. Their hearts are in their work and they work unceasingly. Alaska is fortunate to have them!