We must realize, that the choices we make, affect lives we never thought possible.
I would like for you to write me a poem, on a very serious subject. (Short stories will be accepted, no more than 1,000 words please)
Please write about one of the following options:
How drinking and driving has affected your life, directly or indirectly. (please include the positive, or what you have learned)
The reason drinking and driving is a bad choice (please include why and how we can prevent teens/young adults from drinking and driving)
How drinking and driving ruins lives (Please try to be positive, though I know, this option is a sad one, Please be tactful.)
Write something to inspire Jacqui (she is an amazing woman)
You may also write anything else, that relates to this subject matter. Please be tasteful.
Please read below to find the rules
Think drinking and driving is a joke?
Please, take a long look at the image above. This is the result of drunk driving. Jacqueline Saburido's life was changed forever in the early morning of September 19, 1999. She was only 20 years old.
A drunk driver veered into the car she was riding in. Jacqui was pinned in the front seat on the passanger side. She was burned over 60% of her body. "She lost her hair, her ears, her nose and her left eylid and much of her vision"
"In June 2001 Reggie Stephey (the drunk driver) was convicted of two counts of intoxication manslaughter for the deaths of Jacqui's two friends. He was sentenced to seven years in prison and fined $20,000."
I have provided you with a link to Jacqui's home page, you can view pictures and see how she is doing now. There is resource information available at this link also.
www.helpjacqui.com/home_old.htm
I have also provided a link, to a powerpoint presentation that will show you pictures and also, the timeline of events that devistating September morning and the aftermath.
www.helpjacqui.com/pp_presentation/JacquisStory.pps
I have been asked to edit the information on this page by a Moderator. I was told that it is agianst site policy to give donation information, though, I do not understand how such information is harmful to this site.
Donation information can be found at her website on the top right hand side of the page:
www.helpjacqui.com/home_old.htm
YOU CAN SEE OTHER POSTERS, WITH THE SAME MESSAGE AS ABOVE AT:
www.sherrymatthews.com/ourwork/trans/content.asp?i1&x8
Cards or letters can be sent to Jacqui at:
Jacqueline Sabuido
PO Box 27667,
Austin, TX 78755.
I know there is a lot of information on this page, but I would like you to take a moment and let me know what part affected you most. It could be from what I have provided here, or something from one of the links provided. Please include this in your authors comments.
RULES
I only ask that you use good judgement. The only thing I ask is that you do not write anything to do with suicide.
I am going to send a collection of the appropriate poems to Jacqui, so if you would like to add a message to her in the authors comments, that would be acceptable. If you would like to provide your name or contact information to be sent with your poem, please let me know and I will give you an email address to send that information to.
This contest will not be closed until I recieve what I am looking for.
First place will recieve: 400 points plus the Gold
Second place will recieve: 75 points plus Silver
Third place will recieve: 50 points plus Bronze
There will be honorable mentions as deserved. Each will recieved points also.
The point values may be raised if the quality of the entries warrant it
Pre-Writes will be accepted on a permission basis only. If you would like to enter a prewrite, please IM me, let me know it is for the contest and leave me a link, when you are available I will open the contest so that it will accept your prewrite. Please note: not all pre writes will be accepted
Drink Responsibly!! Select a designated driver!!!
I would like for you to write me a poem, on a very serious subject. (Short stories will be accepted, no more than 1,000 words please)
Please write about one of the following options:
How drinking and driving has affected your life, directly or indirectly. (please include the positive, or what you have learned) The reason drinking and driving is a bad choice (please include why and how we can prevent teens/young adults from drinking and driving) How drinking and driving ruins lives (Please try to be positive, though I know, this option is a sad one, Please be tactful.) Write something to inspire Jacqui (she is an amazing woman) You may also write anything else, that relates to this subject matter. Please be tasteful.Please read below to find the rules
Think drinking and driving is a joke?
Please, take a long look at the image above. This is the result of drunk driving. Jacqueline Saburido's life was changed forever in the early morning of September 19, 1999. She was only 20 years old.
A drunk driver veered into the car she was riding in. Jacqui was pinned in the front seat on the passanger side. She was burned over 60% of her body. "She lost her hair, her ears, her nose and her left eylid and much of her vision"
"In June 2001 Reggie Stephey (the drunk driver) was convicted of two counts of intoxication manslaughter for the deaths of Jacqui's two friends. He was sentenced to seven years in prison and fined $20,000."
I have provided you with a link to Jacqui's home page, you can view pictures and see how she is doing now. There is resource information available at this link also.
www.helpjacqui
I have also provided a link, to a powerpoint presentation that will show you pictures and also, the timeline of events that devistating September morning and the aftermath.
www.helpjacqui
I have been asked to edit the information on this page by a Moderator. I was told that it is agianst site policy to give donation information, though, I do not understand how such information is harmful to this site.
Donation information can be found at her website on the top right hand side of the page:
www.helpjacqui
YOU CAN SEE OTHER POSTERS, WITH THE SAME MESSAGE AS ABOVE AT:
www.sherrymatt
Cards or letters can be sent to Jacqui at:
Jacqueline Sabuido
PO Box 27667,
Austin, TX 78755.
I know there is a lot of information on this page, but I would like you to take a moment and let me know what part affected you most. It could be from what I have provided here, or something from one of the links provided. Please include this in your authors comments.
RULES
I only ask that you use good judgement. The only thing I ask is that you do not write anything to do with suicide.
I am going to send a collection of the appropriate poems to Jacqui, so if you would like to add a message to her in the authors comments, that would be acceptable. If you would like to provide your name or contact information to be sent with your poem, please let me know and I will give you an email address to send that information to.
This contest will not be closed until I recieve what I am looking for.
First place will recieve: 400 points plus the Gold
Second place will recieve: 75 points plus Silver
Third place will recieve: 50 points plus Bronze
There will be honorable mentions as deserved. Each will recieved points also.
The point values may be raised if the quality of the entries warrant it
Pre-Writes will be accepted on a permission basis only. If you would like to enter a prewrite, please IM me, let me know it is for the contest and leave me a link, when you are available I will open the contest so that it will accept your prewrite. Please note: not all pre writes will be accepted
Drink Responsibly!! Select a designated driver!!!
Contest is Over
- Contest was judged on August 4, 2005
- Rewards: Gold: 400
- Final notes: It was very hard to judge this contest, as there were many educational as well as eye opening entries. You can read below, the winners and find a link to each poem that placed along with honorable mentions.
Almost all poems in this contest will receive awards. Points will be distributed by me tomorrow.
I want to thank everyone who entered this contest. I feel that sometimes we get so involved in our own drama, that we forget that our lives, could be worse. Jacqui is an inspiration to anyone who can open their eyes long enough to see, she has done what many I don’t believe would be able to do, not feel sorry for herself, and use her misfortune to help others.
This morning while I was watching the news I heard about another case, this one involving a young girl (Sarah Scantlin) back in 1984, who was hit by a drunk driver. She was in a coma for twenty years, please see below for a piece of the article and also, for a link where you can read the entire story.
" Clearwater, FL (LifeNews.com) By Steven Ertelt-- Sarah Scantlin was unable to speak after an automobile accident in which a drunk driver crashed into her, leaving her in a coma. Though doctors believed her brain was injured so badly in the accident that should would never be able to talk again and spend her life in a vegetative state, Scantlin began speaking a week ago."
To read the entire story please visit:
Entries [15]
1 - 15 of 15-
Dedicated to Jacqueline G. Saburido• Commented on by judge.
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Why take the risk,
Knowing what you might miss• Commented on by judge. -
I had done this drive
a million times or moreby The Great Pretender 31 lines, 8 comments, on Jul 27 4:22 AM 2005. In Abuse, Society, Dark
Gold trophy winner
• Commented on by judge. -
This is for Jacqueline Saburido
*rose*best wishes to you*rose*• Commented on by judge. -
I will say to you and I mean this truly,
God bless you and I love you for you.by CountryCousin 63 lines, 6 comments, on Jul 27 9:12 AM 2005. In Society• Commented on by judge. -
• Commented on by judge.
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Cheyenne,
we'll miss you, our friend...by -Love-Is-Confusing- 37 lines, 8 comments, on Jul 27 2:03 PM 2005. In Personal• Commented on by judge. -
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~by angelkisses24 24 lines, 4 comments, on Jul 27 7:58 PM 2005. In Sad• Commented on by judge.
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This is dedicated to Jacqui Saburido who should be an inspiration to all.
Two weeks since gone• Commented on by judge. -
Never close
but now to far• Commented on by judge. -
It will never happen to me• Commented on by judge.
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• Commented on by judge.
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• Commented on by judge.
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It was just a couple of beers,
nothing I couldn't handle, right?by NeferMaatNetjer 41 lines, 7 comments, on Aug 3 3:18 PM 2005. In Contemporary• Commented on by judge. -
the headlights flashed and the fear send twirling
a mistake of stupidity in which no one is deserving• Commented on by judge.
Add a comment
Comments
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This is a wonderful thing you are doing for Jacqueline, and a wonderful contest. I will try and come up with something worthy of this contest. Wonderful job here, and I'll be praying for Jacqueline, that she can get her life together, picking up the pieces that were destroyed by a mans stupid mistake. Good luck to all who enter.
Edited on Jul 26, 9:11 p.m. because 'spelling..'. -
Thank you for your comment. It is important that people realize, that we are not always the only ones that are affected by our choices, in this case, a womans life was distroyed because a young man decided to drink and drive.
I hope that you do find the time to enter, it is a good cause.
Criss
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Wow.. i remember this picture from a thing at school! It was called "arrive alive"..it was so horrible to see all the pictures of crashes and those who actually survived. I remember they told Jacquelines story! They had to pass out tissues to everyone, b/c so many ppl were crying by the end of it. It really is sad how so many ppl get in accidents b/c of alcohol, every year someone has died at my school b/c of a car accident. I think this is a beautifully amazing thing you are doing here! You are a great person!
and as for the contest.. would poems about alcohol in general be ok, or would you prefer it be about alcohol and drunk driving? Just wondering, b/c i think im going to try to create something sufficent enough to enter this contest!
Well good luck with this.. i hope you get alot of entries!
*Hugs*
~jenn~ -
Thank you for your kind comment. This young woman is strong and couragous, she has lived through something I am not sure tha I would have been able to. I would rather a poem that is about drinking and driving or how it affects lives (please try to also include something positive). I hope that you will still be able to come up with something for this contest.
I can tell you have a beautiful heart.
Criss
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This is a wonderful contest...i will be entering... God bless you both
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Thank you for your comment, I am looking forward to your entry
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My I enter more than one piece into your contest? I would like to enter a letter/poem that I would hope Jacquie could read.
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Yes, Please do.
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sorry that piece was just above the rules and i missed it, it is now corrected.
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seven years was all he got for completely destroying two lives and almost a third? And she is left forever changed by that experience, and he gets seven years for doing it? God. this legal system is screwed.
This is an amazing contest. I do hope my muse will come back from vacation. I think I will have to send out a search party for her though she has been gone quite a long time
I do hope you get the entries you are looking for, and that she is able to build back her life.
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that is so sad, to hear about, i personally hate people who go out and drive drunk, get into an accident and say that they hadnt been drinking at all, and that the person they hit, who is now dead, was the one drunk, i mean come on... i think that this is a very worthy contest. and a very nice thing to be doing for jacqueline. best wishes to you to find what you are looking for and best wishes to jacqueline to get her life back on track.
mandy
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This is such a good idea for a contest. I have a poem that I wrote about drunk driving, but unfortunatly you are not accepting prewrites. Well, I hope everything goes good for you in the contest! Good luck with judging!
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Shadow, tell me when you are ready to enter it and I will open the pre write window. but you have to do it quickly, I do not want a ton of pre writes.
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Yes, seven years for each of the TWO people. Though he will be eligable for parol when he is 28. The system is really sending out a message isnt it?
Thank you for your comment, I hope you will be entering. -
Thank you, you should consider entering.
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so if you are saying 7 years for each then that means 14... but parole when 28...how old was he..?
absurd...
I'll see what I can come up with. -
I will for sure enter this one...I know someone like this...his body was set on fire while still in his car...he lived and is an inspiration to many. Thanks for this wonderful contest.
God Bless,
Tammy
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this is a wonderful idea for a contest, i have seen that picture many times in school (i am in high school) and every time they show it to us it is hard not to break down and cry, because everytime you think about it, think of how she was just going along her merry way when someone elses stupidity changes the way she lives...it is terrible...good luck with this contest, i hope you get many entries
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this is a wonderful contest, because it is truely for a good cause.. i can't enter it though. one of my dearest friends was the drunk driver in her accident. she was killed on impact, her entire body crushed. i can't write about it and submit it, bacause i'd have to include the suicidal wave that engulfed her firends (including me) after the accident, thus disqualifieing me. Alcohol ruins and takes away lives. it destroys families and friends.. it destroyed Cheyenne
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Thank you for your comment.
You can write about what made her drink and drive and how it has affected her friends, though, be classy. I would really like to hear your story.
Criss -
Thank you for your comment. I hope that you will consider entering.
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I am looking forward to your entry.
Thank you for your comment -
I believe that he is 21 now. 7 years in prison for taking a life, is not enough.
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when u say no more than 1000 words, u mean in the story right? wat about poem? one more question. 'One broke down, and cried no more,
one joined her on the throne' that mentions suicides of her friends. that's okay, right? -
Mot just that.. I mean... isn't there something against underage drinking too? Then again I've only been living in Texas for less than a year and it's like a seperate country...
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Yes, what you have stated here, would be okay to enter. You have mentioned suicide but you have done it in a tactful way. Also, as an idea, talk about how it affected those that were left behind, even after the friend, who committed suicide.
I mean no more than 1000 words for the story. If you can use more affectively, please, be my guest to do so
Criss -
Yes, there is something against underage drinking. This boy got off easy, except for he has to continue to live each day, knowing what he did to Jacqui and the others in the car.
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This is indeed a worthy contest. The phot here is commonly used in schools and community centers. I commend you for using it here to encourage each one to NOT DRINK AND DRIVE! An excellent contest. I will be sure to enter.
Love you LIL' Sis'
Renee
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I will do my best to come up with something for this love This is a touching subject...
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A great idea for a contest alas right at this moment I have a small touch of writers block but I will try my best to come up with something, once a again a brilliant contest and the best of luck with it.
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this is a great choice for a contest..you truly have a caring heart..its good to know there are still people like you in the world...people who care.
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This is one touching subject.. I am so sorry she had to turn out like that.. she didn't deserve it, no one does. I am glad you have raised this subject up.. hopefully this will raise awareness of the dangers involved in drink and driving.
I hope you get many entries for this and help to stop drink and driving.. Good luck with your contest
Hugs,
Eeyores Buddy 
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Well this 1 certainly hit me like a sledgehammer i think what you're doing is fantastic and will bring that little bit more happiness back into jacqui's life, from what little i know about her she already strikes me as a remarkable young woman with outstanding courage i'd be honoured to submit something for you it may not be today its a write that deserves respect so i won't rush it.
i'd just like to say you want us to discribe ways we can persuade teens and young adults from drink driving well i say take it right across the board young/old, black/white, short/tall, male/female it doesn't matter at the end of the day it has to stop and stop now
the very best of luck with this
~Danny Celahir Telemnar
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Such a sad sad thing to happen to Jacqui and one that is wholly controllable which is what this contest is about a lot. Just... overwhelming in its magnitude. It is through real life stories like this that as a teenager I wouldnt get in a car with anyone who was drinking. And I didnt even get my license until I was 21. I have always been made so aware of the dangers of drinking and driving. So this is a great idea and I wish you the best with thanks for hosting such a worthy contest
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Thank you my deartest Renee. Looking foward to your entry.
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thank you sweet one, I hope to see your entry.
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The best way to cure writers block is to sit down and write
I hope to see your entry. Thank you so much for your comment.
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You should consider entering. It does the heart good to write about a subject that really matters.
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You are right sweetie, she did not deserve what happened to her, but she was left here for a reason, and she has served a great purpose, bringing a shocking awareness to the danger of drinking and driving.
Thank you for your comment, I hope that you will submit an entry. -
You are right, drinking and driving should stop. There should be higher penalties for drinking and driving. I am looking forward to your entry. Please take your time.
thank you again for your comment. -
I would never get in a car with someone who had been drinking. But sometimes, like in Jacqui's case, they had not been drinking and she paid the price for the young man who had gotten behind the wheel after he had been drinking.
thank you for your comment and I hope that you will enter. -
This is the most powerful idea for a contest I've ever seen on this site, and the most heart-rending. Since we think and remember in images, not words, I believe that photographs can have a lifelong effect on people, so to see the scars left by a drunk driver on such a beautiful girl is a very strong warning to anyone who thinks, "It can never happen to me". (Either being a victim of a drunk driver, or causing injuries to others.)
Thanks for doing this. I'll see if I can come up with something. Thanks also for all the links to Jacqui's sites and contribution information. You have a grand and glorious heart.
Mark -
I just watched the Powerpoint presentation and needless to say, I'm doing my best not to cry here at work. What an amazing woman. I also felt sorry for the boy who hit her. What a terrible price to pay for being young and foolish. Sometimes I wish cars had never been invented. I know it's taken for granted as part of the modern world, but we're just not supposed to be moving that fast in machines full of flammable liquid. As long as there are cars, there will be unnecessary death and injury. I heard over 300 people a day die in car crashed in the U.S. That's the equivalent of one jumbo jet crashing every day. Nobody would stand for it all at once, but we accept all the car accidents and the mayhem and misery associated with them because we apparently can't function without them.
Anyway, you can bet I'll be contributing to Jacqui's fund and writing to her. God bless her heart, and yours.
Love,
Mark
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Hi Criss,
I just entered the contest. I hope it was okay to use Jacqui's picture. Please let me know if it isn't and I'll remove it.
Thanks
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Mark, My friend,
Thank you for you comments, you dont know what a great thing it is for people to realize what a powerful impact drinking and driving has on lives of those who's paths it crosses.
I am sad that this happened to Jacqui, she was a very beautiful girl, though, I know, that she still is, as her heart is one of gold, but she has been robbed of her former self, and has endured painful surgeries that she should have never had to endure.
The powerpoint presentation was something that really touched (and broke) my heart and that is why I shared the link here, I think that this young girl, has been an angel, she must have been left here for something and I think the campaign she has participated is it. She has shown what drinking and driving can do to someone who survives the crash.
I feel sorry for the boy who hit her also, though, only because he has changed someones life so dramatically and he will always have to live with what he has done. I feel his sentence did not fit the crime he committed. I just hope that he will try to worn others of the dangers of drinking and driving, when he is able.
He still has his entire life ahead of him, yet he crushed her's for a few beers. Doesnt seem like a fair trade.
Thank you for your comment Mark, I appriciate it and I hope that many more people will contribute to her fund, that way she can continue to recieve medical treatment and she can live as comfortably as possible.
I too am going to contribute, it just feels like the right thing to do.
Take care my friend,
Criss
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Whilst not condoning drivng whilst drunk, I would make the following point: apparently 1/3rd of motor accidents in the UK are drink or drug related (but that includes an accident in which an innocent party was over the limit too - so if a sober motorist hits a drunken pedestrian it's a drink-related accident). This means 2/3rd are NOT drink related. This means the vast majority of accidents are caused by driver stupidity and carelessness.
Certainly the law must deal with drunken drivers. But better training and teaching people how to behave more considerately would go a long way to reducing the toll on the roads. So would using public transport more. And so would banning SUVs which are much more dangerous to pedestrians.
By demonising drink people ignore the causes of most accidents: stupidity, lack of courtesy and selfishness. -
While I have enjoyed your statistics here, I must say that you have been very inconsiderate to the subject at hand. This was not a contest about inconsiderate drivers or drivers who lack courtesty, this is to express the number of people who die each year by drunk driving accidents. It is to bring awareness to those who think about it, that there are other options, like selecting a designated driver, taking a cab or many other options. This was to show the extreme of the people who are affected by drunk driving, to show that when they dont die, they suffer for the rest of their lives and the person who was drunk, usually gets of easy. Please, if you can not stick to the subject matter, walk away.
Criss -
You are right, the drunk driver also pays, for the rest of their lives, but I can not say that I feel pity on them what so ever. They made the choice to drink and get in the car, they made the choice to ruin their life. Unlike that of their innocent victim, who either loses their life or lives the rest of their life in pain like Jacqui has. The drunk driver should never be free from the distruction they have caused, they should feel guitly, they should dislike themselves, they should pay a highter price than the law makes them pay. 7 years and 20,000 for two lives lost and who knows how many family members? The drunk drivers pain is can not even be measured to that of their victim. I am sorry, I can not sympothize with anyone who has made the choice to get behind the wheel when they have been drinking. They need to take personal responsibility. I am sorry, I can not feel sorry for someone who has taken others lives into their hands such as those that drunk drivers do.
Take care,
Criss -
I have NOT been "inconsiderate to the subject"; that is balls. I have every sympathy for people who are hurt by bad driving, drunken or otherwise. I am just tired of continual attempts to imply that drink is the major cause of accidents. It's not, and your contest goes some way to propagating the myth that it does. Let's close the discussion now.
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Excuse the hell out of me. Who invited you to give your opinion. I know that I did not. You have been very inconsiderate to the subject. I in no way implied in this contest that drinking and driving was the major cause of accidents. If you would have read the VERY first sentence here, it stated, "We must realize, that the choices we make, affect lives we never thought possible." now where do you get off telling me I am saying something that I have not stated. Please get off you high horse and off my page.
Thank you. -
Thank you for believing us all worthy. I know she is an amazing woman, I dont know if I would have had the strength to do what she does daily.
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thank you very much for participating. I think you are a wonderful person for putting your words out there. THANK you!
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Your contest was necessary! I wish more people knew the urgency in spreading the messages that were shared in this challenge. Congratulations to all those who participated in this contest. WE ARE ALL WINNERS if we remember that DRINKING AND DRIVING DO NOT MIX!
Much Love, Always
Renee
THANK YOU
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THANK YOU EVERYONE WHO TOOK THE TIME TO ENTER. I HAVE DISTRIBUTED POINTS THIS MORNING, I AM SURE THAT I GOT EVERYONE, IF I MISSED YOU (WHICH I HOPE I DIDNT MISS ANYONE) PLEASE LET ME KNOW SO THAT I CAN GIVE YOU THE POINTS YOU MORE THAN DESERVED.
Please remember, Not Everyone Who Gets Hit By A Drunk Driver Dies, dont drink and drive, select a designated driver.
THANK YOU!!!
Criss
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Thank you for the honorable mention and points! God bless!!
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GREAT
I would like to send my poem in this contest
Im not sure how to send it but if you go to WickedSpark as the author then the only poem that is on that site it's called
"The can that killed" Thanks for taking the time good contest you have going on here I hope it helps them you are tring to help good luck in all your writes and all you do in life -
If you would like to add the link here, I will add it to the book that I am sending. Please include any additional information you'd like me to use.
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Adding your comment:
