HOULTON, Maine — A cold, rainy day did not dampen the spirits of 44 walkers Saturday as they participated in the fifth annual Walk Like M.A.D.D. – Remember Darcie Hutchinson event.
Held at Houlton High School, the event was a fundraiser for Mothers Against Drunk Driving and organized by Heather Campbell McCarthy, a schoolmate of Hutchinson at HHS. Hutchinson was a graduate of the Class of 1993 at Houlton and was killed in Connecticut in 1996 at the age of 21 by a drunk driver.
“Darcie was my best friend, killed by a drunk driver and not a day goes by that I don’t think about her and miss her,” McCarthy said. “This walk is very close to my heart. Although I can never bring Darcie back, if we can just make a difference in one person’s life, then it’s all worth it and it is what Darcie would have wanted. She may be gone, but she will never be forgotten, and as the people started arriving at the walk, it was overwhelming to see the support and love of all our friends and family that showed up, and it’s such an encouragement. We will make a difference!”
McCarthy said she was pleased with the turnout in spite of the weather.
“I have to admit, when I saw snow on the ground that morning, I sensed Darcie smiling down on us,” McCarthy said. “Oh how she loved the snow! So I remembered lots of good times and smiled, then as everyone started arriving for the walk, the wet weather didn’t seem to matter any more … good friends, family, smiles and laughter surrounded us. We are all so blessed to live in such a caring, supportive community!”
McCarthy is still working to make Houlton an official Walk Like MADD site.
All money raised goes to MADD and will be used to help prevent drunk driving through programs and education. Anyone that was unable to attend and would like to donate, can contact Campbell at 538-0953.
