Solomons, MD— The Calvert Alliance Against Substance Abuse (CAASA) presented the Calvert Marine Museum with its 2016 Business Eagle Award on Monday, October 24. This award recognizes the museum’s efforts to promote a designated driver program during their popular summer concert series.
Although the museum started a designated driver program 12 years ago, it wasn’t until 2013 that they formally partnered with CAASA in support of their mission to “promote a healthy environment/free of alcohol and other drug abuse.” The program provides free non-alcoholic beverages to a person who signs up as a designated driver at each summer concert. CAASA vigilantly mans the table throughout each concert and the museum provides the free beverages. This joint effort provided over 1,500 safe rides home from the museum’s five fundraising concerts in 2016.
“I am very proud of the relationship we have built with CAASA. It allows us to have some fun, raise money for the museum, and get everyone home safely. Our community supports the museum through ticket purchases, so it is nice to be able to take care of them with a safe ride home,” said Development Director Vanessa Gill. Ms. Gill’s mother was permanently disabled by a drunk driver, so the program is very important to her. Gill said, “Candice D’Agostino and all those dedicated to saving lives at CAASA are the ones who really deserve the award. But I must admit, I am proud to think we might have had a hand in saving a life, and I look forward to continuing this program at each concert.”
The concerts are the museum’s largest annual fundraiser and provide critical support to the education and preservation efforts of the museum. This past summer, featured performers included: Chris Young, William Michael Morgan, Sam Grow, Toby Keith, The Davisson Brothers, Rick Springfield, Night Ranger, The Romantics, Train, Andy Grammer, the Goo Goo Dolls and Collective Soul.
Photo attached courtesy Andrew Cephas – Calvert Recorder. Pictured l to r is Candice D’Agostino (CAASA) and Vanessa Gill (CMM).
