Congressman Van Drew Secures $500,000 for HERO Campaign Expansion

Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Van Drew announced that he secured $500,000 in federal funding for the John R. Elliott HERO Campaign to expand its Police Patrol Car program beyond New Jersey. The funding, provided through the U.S. Department of Justice, will help the HERO Campaign wrap police vehicles across the country with its signature designated driver message: Be a HERO. Be a Designated Driver.® The grant is expected to support approximately 125 additional police cruisers. The HERO Campaign was founded in memory of Navy Ensign John Elliott of Egg Harbor Township, who was killed by a drunk driver in 2000 shortly after graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy. Since then, the campaign has worked with law enforcement, schools, colleges, businesses, and highway safety agencies to promote the use of safe and sober designated drivers. "The Elliott family has done incredible work for a very long time, and this funding will help them take that work even further," said Congressman Van Drew. "Every one of these police cars is another reminder to people not get behind the wheel after drinking. If that reminder stops even one person from making that decision, that is a life potentially saved. I am very proud we were able to secure this funding for them." "We are very grateful to Congressman Van Drew and the Department of Justice for this grant which will help us grow our life-saving campaign across the country in memory of our son," said John Elliott's father Bill, co-chairman and founder of the HERO Campaign with his wife Muriel and daughter Jennifer Adamchak. "John wanted to serve his nation. Now he is getting his chance."