Red Means Stop received its 501c3 status from the federal government in 1999, and by all accounts, we are a small fish in a very big ocean of non-profit organizations. When John Philippi, Les Marquis and I conceived the idea of creating a program to educate drivers about the dangers of red-light running, we had no idea how long it would last or if it would survive at all.

Now, fifteen years later, we continue to offer information on a variety of traffic safety issues, including the issue that brought us together in the first place, running red lights. Our children, Krystal, Sam and Jennifer, were our inspiration to effect change in driver behavior. In 1999, there were few if any grassroots organizations like ours talking about what happens to families when careless drivers cause devastating crashes. Today, there are many groups around the country taking up the cause, some led by victims just like us.

Red Means Stop continues to swim up-stream against a strong current. The small fish needs your help financially to deliver its safety message to all drivers, especially new drivers. Sadly, until you are personally affected by a motor vehicle tragedy, you aren’t likely to give this problem a second thought.