MADD Sarnia-Lambton says Saturday's Voluntary Tolls fundraiser was the best ever.
The 10th annual campaign saw $17,850 collected by 72 Lambton College student volunteers in the Police Foundations, PSI, Pre Service Fire programs.
They stood out in the cold for six hours in Sarnia, Petrolia, Forest, Corunna and Wyoming, offering red ribbons for a donation.
The ribbons are displayed on vehicles to encourage sober driving this holiday season.
Event Chairperson Erin Pollard said all of the money stays in Sarnia-Lambton.
"It goes toward awareness and getting the word out there so that we can put on events," said Pollard. "We have really cool vision goggles now in our office. We can go out to the community and raise awareness. It also supports the victims of impaired driving. Every year we have a victim conference that we do send victims to. We have Victim Services on our board, and they also help."
Pollard said the campaign typically generates around $12,000 annually, and they're thrilled to exceed this year's $14,000 goal.
She said it's especially important this year because Sarnia police have seen an all-time high in the city for impaired driving charges.
They're 25 per cent higher than the previous 10 years.
https://www.facebook.com/sarniapolice/photos/a.264411513576037/3162586330425193/?type=3&theater