MADD Southeast Florida Celebrates 2026 VIP Kick-Off Party for Move With MADD & MADD Dash Fort Lauderdale 5K
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Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Southeast Florida celebrated its 15th Annual UKG & Salah Foundation Hero’s Pride Move With MADD & MADD Dash Fort Lauderdale 5K, presented by the Florida Panthers & Sheriff’s Foundation of Broward County, with a meaningful 2026 VIP Kick-Off Party presented by Craig Zinn Automotive Group on Wednesday, Feb. 11, at BBX Capital in Fort Lauderdale.
The event kicked off MADD Southeast Florida’s year-long 15th anniversary celebration. In 2026, the annual event is debuting its rebrand as Move With MADD & MADD Dash Fort Lauderdale 5K, reflecting expanded momentum in the fight against impaired driving and deepened community engagement. Move With MADD & MADD Dash Fort Lauderdale 5K is a community-driven 5K that raises awareness about drunk and drugged driving and underage drinking while uniting community members around MADD’s mission. Since it was established in 2011, Move With MADD & MADD Dash Fort Lauderdale 5K has raised more than $4.2 million that stays in the South Florida community to save lives and support victims of drunk driving, making it the most successful grassroots fundraiser in the history of MADD.
During the VIP Kick-Off Party, attendees enjoyed light bites and mocktails provided by LaCroix. Guests participated in a raffle and silent auction with items donated by local MADD supporters. The VIP Kick-Off Party raised over $15,000, which stays in the South Florida community to save lives and support victims of drunk driving.
Notable executives from MADD were in attendance, including Move With MADD and MADD Dash Fort Lauderdale 5K Founder and Chairperson Heather Geronemus. Among VIP and dignitary guests were Honorary Chairperson Broward Sheriff’s Office Undersheriff Nichole Anderson; Zachary Zinn of Craig Zinn Automotive Group; as well as representatives from the Sheriff’s Foundation of Broward County, Broward County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Highway Patrol, Fort Lauderdale Police Department and Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission.
Guests heard impactful remarks from Move With MADD and MADD Dash Fort Lauderdale 5K Founder and Chairperson Heather Geronemus, Honorary Chairperson Broward Sheriff’s Office Undersheriff Nichole Anderson, and Zachary Zinn of Craig Zinn Automotive Group. Mike Essa, who has been a sales manager at Craig Zinn Automotive Group’s Toyota of Hollywood for over 30 years, shared his personal story about how his life changed in an instant because of a wrong-way drunk driving crash, killing his son, Adam. WTVJ-NBC 6 and Telemundo 51 Community Reporter Miriam Tapia emceed the event.
“This year marks 15 powerful years of Move With MADD & MADD Dash Fort Lauderdale 5K, and we are honored to celebrate this milestone with a community that continues to show up for change,” said Geronemus. “Every step taken at this event represents a life we are fighting to protect and a future we are moving toward to make safer. The support of our sponsors, volunteers, and participants fuels our mission and reminds us that together, we can prevent impaired driving and save lives.”
“We invite the South Florida community to stand with us at the 2026 Move With MADD & MADD Dash Fort Lauderdale 5K on Sunday, April 26, as we reflect on how far we’ve come and recommit to the work ahead,” Geronemus added. “Impaired driving is 100 percent preventable, and with continued awareness, action, and unity, we can help ensure safer roads for everyone.”
The host committee for the 2026 VIP Kick-Off Party presented by Craig Zinn Automotive Group included Patrick Daoud of Daoud’s Fine Jewelry, Alexa Diaz of be better together, Maggie Gunther of Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, Gene Harvey of Amerant Bank, Lois Marino of BBX Capital, Jessica Rodriguez of Cloud Nine Nonprofit Advisors, Durée Ross of Durée & Company, Avesta Shaygannik of Newfront, Samantha Strouse of Neighbors 4 Neighbors and George Taylor of Brinkley Morgan.
The 15th Annual UKG & Salah Foundation Hero’s Pride Move With MADD & MADD Dash Fort Lauderdale 5K, presented by the Florida Panthers and the Sheriff’s Foundation of Broward County, will take place on Sunday, April 26. Thousands of walkers, runners, strollers, wheelchairs and supporters of all ages will come together in downtown Fort Lauderdale to raise awareness and funds to end impaired driving for good. The race will start near Huizenga Plaza at 7:30 a.m. Registration starts at 6 a.m. and the ceremony will begin at 7 a.m.
For more information or to register for the 15th Annual UKG & Salah Foundation Hero’s Pride Move With MADD & MADD Dash Fort Lauderdale 5K, presented by the Florida Panthers and the Sheriff’s Foundation of Broward County, visit https://give.madd.org/movefortlauderdale.
Event sponsors included Signature Sponsors UKG and Salah Foundation; Title Sponsor Hero’s Pride, a World Emblem Brand; Presenting Sponsors Florida Panthers and Sheriff’s Foundation of Broward County; Road Guardian Sponsor Craig Zinn Automotive Group; Corporate Champion Sponsors Broward County Sheriff’s Office, Durée & Company, Florida Highway Patrol, Fort Lauderdale Police Department, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, JM Family, Memorial Healthcare System, and Rick Case Automotive; and Spotlight Sponsors Aetna, Broward College, David Geronemus & Mitzi Lyman, Westway Towing; and MADD Milestone Sponsors City Furniture, Broward Health, Holman Motorcars and Working Nurses Homecare.