OCEAN CITY, N.J. – The John R. Elliott HERO Campaign will host its 12th HERO Walk and 1-Mile Fun Run on Sunday, October 15 at the Ocean City Sports and Civic Center, located at 6th Street and the Boardwalk. Participants can pre-register individually or as a team at HEROcampaign.org.

Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. A one-mile fun run, sponsored by the Foster-Karney Foundation, begins at 10 a.m. The HERO Walk follows at 11 a.m.

In addition to memorializing John R. Elliott, a Navy Ensign from Egg Harbor Township who was killed in a collision with a drunk driver in July of 2000, a memory banner at the walk will recognize numerous victims from New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania who died in crashes involving drunk drivers. Active teams of family and friends will walk in memory of the following victims: Michael T. Sot, Matt Uhl, Chad Horne, Kevin Ade, Ryan Schleyer, Alfonso Lee Dickerson, Ron Moretti Jr, John Cruz, Nikk Marvel, Ricci Branca, Nicole Romanelli, Daniel “Sonny” DuRoss, Frederick Shelton, Jennifer Stoop, Mariella Mulholland, and Phillip Gatto.

Prior to the start of the Walk, a new HERO-wrapped patrol vehicle will be unveiled at the Ocean City Sports & Civic Center. The Stockton University Security Patrol SUV will be dedicated in memory of Stockton student Kevin Ade, who was killed in a collision with a drunk driver in 2007. In addition to the Stockton HERO vehicle, HERO patrol cars from police departments throughout South Jersey will be on display. Each of these vehicles serve as rolling billboards for the campaign as they are wrapped with the HERO Campaign’s logo and safety message, “Be a HERO. Be a Designated Driver.”

Walk participants will also get to check out the new HERO DUI Simulator that will be traveling to South Jersey high schools. Like a video game, the unit includes a steering wheel, pedals for gas and brakes, and simulates impaired driving to teach students the perils of drunk/drugged and distracted driving.

All proceeds from the event support the Campaign’s mission to promote the use of safe and sober designated drivers. Sponsors of this year’s HERO Walk include the Foster Karney Fund; Honda USA Foundation; Michael Sot Team; Iron Workers Local 399; Ocean First Bank, Kramer Beverage; Uber; Bayshore Rebar Inc.; Dallas and Di Krapf; Michael Azeez Foundation; AtlantiCare; Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Atlantic City; ShopRite; The John Scarpa Foundation; Glenn Insurance; Carpenters Local 255; Team Matt Uhl; Mary Anne Kull; Borgata; Copiers Plus; ClearChannel Outdoor; IBEW Local 351; Sharon Grunow; Stockton University; Miss Night in Venice Pageant; NJM Insurance Group; Outfront Media; Icona Resorts; Anchorage Tavern; Ocean City PBA; EASRCC Brotherhood of Carpenters; Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Union of NJ; and Fabietti, Hale, Hammerstedt and Powers, PA.

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 35 percent reduction in DUI fatalities in New Jersey and other states over the past decade. For more information visit HEROcampaign.org or call 609-626-3880