Christopher DeCrescito Memorial Foundation
CDMF was established in honor of Christopher DeCrescito, killed by a drunk driver on February 27, 2013. We raise awareness about DUI prevention, and provide assistance to the families of victims.
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT#THINK
Before you Drink
DUI applies to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs while operating a car, truck, motorcycle, bus, ATV, boat or plane. Have a plan. Call Uber, Lyft or a cab. Use public transportation. Walk. Call a friend. Have a designated driver. There is never an excuse for DUI.
Join Us at Our Next Event
Date: TBD
Chris DeCrescito Memorial Hockey Game
New York Islanders vs. New Jersey Devils
7pm • Nassau Coliseum
1255 Hempstead Turnpike Uniondale 11553
BUY TICKETS
Saturday, August 15, 2020
Chris DeCrescito Memorial Foundation 5k Marathon
8am check in • 9am start time
Hofstra University - USA Building
Republic Blvd Oak & Liberty Ave, Hempstead NY 11549
REGISTER NOW
Christopher DeCrescito Memorial 5K
Saturday, August 17, 2019
Hofstra University • USA Building
9am
Summer Dreams Pageant and Family Fun Day
August 5, 2018
10:00am - 5:00pm
Long Island Marriott
Movie and Game Night
August 4, 2018
6:00pm - 10:00pm
Long Island Marriott
Countdown to Summer Giveaway
June 1, 2018
6pm
Join us on Facebook Live!
Summer Dreams Pageant and Family Fun Day
August 13, 2017
10:00am - 5:00pm
Long Island Marriott
Spring Fling
March 12, 2017
1:00pm - 5:00pm
Pompei Ristorante
3rd Annual Bowling Event
March 20, 2016
2:00pm - 6:30pm
Garden City Bowl
Summer Family Fun Day
August 30, 2015
10:00am - 5:00pm
Melville Marriott
Blue, Bling and Baseball!
June 7, 2015
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Rio Fusion
Facts about Drunk Driving
1 in 3
About one in three traffic deaths in the United States involves a drunk driver.
7x deadlier
A driver with a legal blood alcohol level of .02% to .07% is still seven times more likely to die in a car crash than a sober driver.
$51 billion
Alcohol-related car crashes in the United States cost about $51 billion a year.
How Does Alcohol Consumption Affect Your Ability to Drive?
Alcoholic beverages are a depressant. That means that they actually slow down your central nervous system.
Once you begin to consume alcohol, the brain is very quickly affected. As it affects the part of the brain called the cerebrum, thinking, judgment and decision-making are significantly affected.
Alcohol consumption has a distinctly negative effect on vision. That effect is especially pronounced in nighttime. Vision becomes increasingly seriously affected. Vision gets blurred. Depth perception is lost or distorted. Peripheral vision diminishes.
As a person consumes more alcohol, the part of the brain known as the cerebellum is increasingly affected. The cerebellum controls muscle function. Physical reactions become slowed. That slowness makes every driver much less able to react and respond appropriately. Balance is affected. Hand-eye coordination is affected.
Facts about Drugged Driving
more deaths
In 2015, more deaths occurred from drugged driving than drunk driving. Of the fatally-injured tested , 43% of the motorists who died had drugs in their system. Compare that to the 37% of motorists who died testing positive solely for alcohol.
fatal disasters
Prescription drugs such as opioid pain killers, drugs for treating anxiety or sleep issues, such as benzodiazepines are also responsible for causing fatal accidents while driving. Unless these are used under expert supervision, they cause fatal disasters when driving. If a prescription warns against operating heavy machinery, do not operate any type of vehicle while using it.
THC related accidents
Marijuana, amphetamines, benzodiazepines, cocaine and opiates are some of the common drugs that have been found in people who are involved drugged driving. Studies show that THC an ingredient of Marijuana is the most common cause of fatal road accidents. It caused up to 14% of the road accidents.
increased crash rates
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, drivers that have smoked marijuana before getting behind the wheel are 65% more likely to get into a crash than those drivers who have not used marijuana before driving.
Under Age Drinking
#THINK About Your Actions
In most states, adults are prohibited from driving with a blood alcohol level of .08% or higher. But in all states, it is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to drive after having any alcohol whatsoever.
Every weekend, at least one teenager every hour is killed in a car crash. 49% of those crashes involve alcohol consumption
Statistics and research shows that one out of every 10 high school students drink and drive.
High school students drink and drive approximately 2.4 million times every month.
Drivers that are under the age of 21 are 17 times more likely to experience a fatal car crash when having a blood alcohol level of .08%, then when driving with no alcohol in their system.
What We Do
Monetary Gifts
To families of victims of drunk or drugged drivers. These gifts can help with final expenses, help make mortgage or rent payments, pay phone or electric bills, buy groceries, etc. Even for the approximately 50% of people who have life insurance, most of those are under-insured. It takes time to receive insurance proceeds, and to figure out how to make any necessary financial adjustments. A cash gift from CDMF can truly help in a terrible time of need.
Provide Personal, Emotional Support
I am living the same daily nightmare that other victims families are living. It can really help to talk to someone else who is in the same situation. I, and other people who are also in the same terrible position, are always available to talk. You can call, text or email anytime you need someone there who understands this unique type of terrible loss.
Provide References to Qualified Professionals
Such as attorneys, financial planners, grief counselors, and so forth, each of whom are willing to help with survivor's immediate needs on a free or reduced rate basis
Conduct Fundraising Events
Where victims' families can attend for free, and can interact anonymously with people who are there to support the cause. We have found that knowing that people care can be a great support. 100% of Every dollar raised goes to families of drunk driving victims.
Provide Education
About the facts and risks of driving while under the influence, to help spread awareness about the dangers of that behavior.
Develop Programs
That educate children & teenagers about the dangers of drunk driving and the consequences involved.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you find families in need?
We obtain names of families impacted by drunk or drugged drivers through referral by their friends, news stories, police reports, and other means.
Do recipients have to repay the money given to them?
No, all financial gifts are given with no strings attached, and are not repaid.
How do you decide how much money to give a family?
The amount given depends upon how much is available to us from our
fundraising efforts, and the particular situation of the recipient family.
What type of charity is CDMF?
We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Donations are tax-deductible.
Are financial gifts given only to the families of victims who are killed by a drunk or drugged driver?
No. We also strive to assist those who are seriously injured by a driver who was under the influence.
