The 1N3 group to combat drunk drivers will have a balloon release ceremony at Buffalo Wild Wings on Highway 153 on Wednesday at 6 p.m.
Crystal Yates-Richards said, "On Aug. 1st, 2011, in Chattanooga, Kevin Daniel "Sunshine" Yates was killed by a drunk driver. To you this may be just a name and a statistic. To me, my nephew was killed. Mine and my family's life was forever changed.
"1 in 3 of us is impacted by drunk driving. I became 1N3 almost a year ago. Tiki Finlayson, Kevin's mother, and Derek Yates, Kevin's brother, founded a non-profit organization called 1N3 to bring awareness of the tragedy caused due to the choice of drinking and driving, and provide addiction recovery and support in the grief recovery process.
"We want to bring a worldwide awareness of the dangers of driving impaired, and how many of us are 1N3. This statistic needs to change. Our family is not the only ones impacted by an impaired driver. If you are a parent, sibling, grandparent, aunt, uncle, cousin, or friend of a victim, or the impaired driver you are 1N3.
"We want to make a worldwide statement and we are inviting all who are 1N3, and those who support those who have been impacted, to participate in our 1st Annual International 1N3 Day. We currently have 107 cities in 31 states and eight locations in other countries participating.
"We are asking for your help to reach as many people as possible and make this event an even greater success.
"It has been a long year for our family, and even though we are still mourning, and always will mourn the loss of Kevin, we are seeing great things through this tragedy. Kevin was an organ donor, and through him, four other families were touched! Recently we were privileged to meet with his heart recipient, Rev. Melvin Ellis from Memphis. He and his family will be coming to Chattanooga to be a part of our event.
"Also in attendance will be the family and friends of the drunk driver who was responsible for Kevin's death. We are working together to make a change in our community."
For further information you may contact events@iam1n3.org, or you may call the office at 423 710-8754 or 423 402-0163.