AUSTIN, Texas — This weekend, Austinites laced up their running shoes and put on Santa hats for a cause.
- Raised funds and awareness for MADD
- More drunk-driving related crashes during the holidays
Hundreds of people took part in the 24th annual Austin Jingle Bell 5K on Sunday, December 8 at the Domain. Kids took off for a fun run at 8 a.m. and grown-ups began a 5K at 8:30 a.m. And of course everyone was greeted by Santa Claus.
Santa greets runners at the Austin Jingle Bell 5K at the Domain on Dec. 8, 2019 (Nicole Cross/Spectrum News)
The goal was to raise funds and awareness about Mothers Against Drunk Driving and holiday driving safety. People also picked up ribbons for MADD’s Tie One On for Safety campaign.
“We want people to get a ribbon and put it in their car just to remind people to be safe on the roads. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas there are the most deaths related to drunk driving, so we want to make sure people are safe and responsible during the holidays,” said Andrea Anthony, MADD Central Texas special events manager.
Young runners at the Austin Jingle Bell 5K at the Domain on Dec. 8, 2019 (Nicole Cross/Spectrum News)
Spectrum News’s Nicole Cross emceed the event.