Ocean City, N.J. – The John R. Elliott HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers will hold its 10th Annual HERO Walk to prevent drunk driving at 6th Street and the Boardwalk here on Sunday, October 17. Hundreds of supporters, along with families who have lost loved ones to drunk driving, are expected for the 5K event.

The walk starts at 11 a.m. A one-mile fun run begins at 10 a.m., and registration begins at 9:00 a.m. Participants can pre-register individually or as a team at HEROcampaign.org.

An award ceremony for top teams will be held at 10:30, along with a moment of silence for DUI victims and their families. A memory banner will display the pictures of more than 20 area residents who have lost their lives to drunk and impaired driving tragedies.

This year’s event will feature a display of HERO patrol cars from police departments throughout South Jersey, wrapped with the HERO Campaign’s blue and yellow logo and message, “Be a HERO. Be a Designated Driver.”  The cars serve as rolling billboards for the campaign, which hopes to raise $80,000 for its DUI educational and awareness programs in partnership with schools and colleges, law enforcement, bar and tavern owners, and professional sports teams.

The HERO Campaign is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the use of safe and sober designated drivers to prevent drunk driving tragedies. The Campaign was started by the family of Navy Ensign John Elliott of Egg Harbor Township, shortly after he was killed in a collision with a drunk driver in July, 2000.