Photo:  Kelly Whilden from Charlie’s Bar in Somers Point serving their alcohol-free HEROtini “The Shameless Sunrise.”

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (November 21, 2019) – The John R. Elliott HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers and Uber are teaming up to put a stop to drunk driving at the Jersey Shore this holiday season.

The region’s first “Holiday HEROES Safe Ride” program will seek to eliminate DUI incidents by offering free and discounted rides home from more than 30 participating bars and taverns in Atlantic and Cape May counties between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Patrons of the HERO establishments will receive Uber ride credits up to $20 and the ability to leave their cars overnight in each establishment’s parking lot.

The HERO ride program is expected to provide up to 2,000 rides during the five-week holiday period. The free and discounted codes will be available to patrons in need of a safe and reliable ride home and distributed at the discretion of participating establishments. Participating bars and taverns are listed below and at HEROCampaign.org.

The HERO Campaign’s goal is to make the use of safe and sober designated drivers as automatic as wearing a seatbelt. The campaign is dedicated to the memory of Navy Ensign John Elliott, of Egg Harbor Township, a graduate of the United States Naval Academy who was killed by a drunk driver in July 2000 as he was traveling home from Maryland for his mother’s birthday.

“The holidays are a time to celebrate with friends and family,” HERO Campaign Chairman Bill Elliott and Ensign John Elliott’s father, said. “We want those good times to stay safe by making sure everyone has a designated driver.”

Sponsors of the holiday program include Uber Technologies, the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority and Coors Light, as well as AtlantiCare, OceanFirst Bank and the Ironworkers Local 399.

The 31 participating shore-area HERO bars, taverns and restaurants also raised more than $40,000 in a summer-long non-alcoholic mocktail competition. Tomatoe’s Restaurant, Steve and Cookies and Harbor Pines were the top fund raisers in the Great HEROtini^® Challenge, created by John’s mother Muriel.

“He would have enjoyed the HEROtini^® celebration,” noted Muriel, saying her son was named the Outstanding HERO of his graduating class at the Naval Academy for his service to his fellow midshipmen, his positive spirit and sense of humor.

Participating HERO Ride establishments include:

Atlantic City/Brigantine
Ducktown Tavern & Liquors
Wonder Bar
Vagabond Kitchen & Tap House
Hard Rock Café, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Bar One, Resorts Casino Hotel
Boogie Nights, Tropicana Atlantic City
Steel Pier Pub
Knife & Fork
Harry’s Oyster Bar & Seafood
Dock’s Oyster House
St. George’s Pub
Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall
MADE Atlantic City Chocolate Bar
Rhythm & Spirits

Margate
Bocca Coal Fired Bistro
Steve & Cookie’s Restaurant
Tomatoe’s
Maynard’s Café
Sofia Restaurant

Somers Point/Linwood/Marmora
Anchorage Tavern
Charlie’s Bar & Restaurant
The Crab Trap
Gregory’s Restaurant & Bar
Linwood Country Club
Josie Kelly’s Public House
The Doc’s Place
Yesterday’s

Absecon/EHC/EHT
The Pitney Pub
Tailgaters
Hi Point Pub
Harbor Pines

About the HERO Campaign:

The HERO Campaign was established by the family of Navy Ensign John R. Elliott of Egg Harbor Township, NJ, who was killed in a July 2000 collision with a drunk driver two months after graduating from the United States Naval Academy. The Campaign is now saving lives in seven states in partnership with law enforcement; schools and colleges; federal and state highway safety organizations; the licensed beverage industry; professional sports teams including the Philadelphia Phillies, the New York Football Giants, the New England Patriots and the New England Revolution; Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby; and Keeneland Race Course, home of the 2015 Breeder’s Cup. Since its inception in 2000, the HERO Campaign has grown into a major movement to prevent impaired driving that has received national recognition and awards. It has also helped to reduce alcohol-related fatalities and incidents, including a 20 percent reduction in DUI fatalities in New Jersey over the past decade. For more information visit HEROcampaign.org or call 609-626-3880.

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