The John R. Elliott HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers will hold its 4^th Annual HERO Walk on the Ocean City Boardwalk this Sunday.

We had more than 2,000 walkers participate last year, when we had great weather. The forecast for this weekend’s walk says we can again expect sunny pleasant weather.

We’d like to see you there on Sunday.

We’ve added a ‘Hats Off To HEROES’ hat toss to begin this year’s walk. We’ll provide each walker with a painter’s cap, courtesy of Sherwin-Williams, and just before the walk begins we’ll throw the caps into the air in unison. It’s a way of acknowledging the HEROES who serve as designated drivers and make the roads safer for all of us.

You may ask what is the purpose of the HERO Walk. Here it is:

Fourteen years ago our son, Navy Ens. John R. Elliott, was killed by a drunk driver while driving from Annapolis, Md., to our home in Egg Harbor Township to celebrate his mother’ s – Muriel – birthday.

The driver had been arrested by the State Police just a couple hours earlier and had been charged with DUI. The State Police followed procedure and released the driver to a friend, who took the driver back to his  car. The driver got back into his car and drove down the road until he caused the head-on collision with our son’s car. Both John and the driver were killed.

Shortly afterward, my wife Muriel and I created the John R. Elliott HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers. The message of the HERO Campaign is that using safe and sober designated drivers can prevent drunk driving tragedies.

The numbers  indicate that the HERO Campaign has at least contributed to a decline in drunk-driving fatalities.  In the 10-year period of 2002-2012 – the latest figures available – alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in New Jersey declined 18 percent.

The HERO Campaign, which is now headquartered at The Richard Stockton College in Galloway Township, is now active in seven states and has an association with major league sports teams such as the Philadelphia Phillies, the New York Giants and the New England Patriots.

The Hero Walk on Sunday is one way we spread the HERO Campaign’s message: That safe and sober designated drivers can prevent drunk-driving tragedies.

It’s a grand time for all: There will be many fun activities at the event, including face painting, a selfie picture booth and HERO temp tattoos. And it looks like Mother Nature plans to bless us again with fine weather.

Registration for the HERO Walk begins at 9 a.m. at the Ocean City Sports and Civic Center, 6^th Street and the Boardwalk; the Walk itself begins at 11 a.m. You can also pre-register online at WWW.THEHEROWALK.ORG, or call (609) 626-3880.

By joining in the HERO Walk, you are participating in our campaign to prevent drunk-driving tragedies, and will have a good time doing so. What better way to spend a couple hours on a fall Sunday afternoon?

So, make a point to join us on Sunday; we’ll be looking for you.