The Tulsa Health Department Regional Prevention Coordinator Program (RPC) and the Stop DUI Task Force have teamed up to raise awareness of the devastating effects of drunk driving in Tulsa County through their annual Tree of Life holiday display. This year, the community is invited to share a photo of their loved ones who were lost due to a drunk driving accident to be included on the ornaments for the Tree of Life, which will be displayed inside Woodland Hills Mall starting in December.
“It’s important to remember that behind every statistic is a person,” said Kandice Lawson, Prevention Specialist at the Tulsa Health Department. “By giving a face to those who have been lost due to drunk driving, we can better understand the true impact that alcohol abuse can have on our community.”
Since 2014, the Tree of Life has served as a poignant reminder of the number of Tulsa County families who are missing a loved one during the winter holiday season because of a drunk driving accident. The tree features wrapped gifts as a symbolic representation of the gifts that won’t be opened this year because of a family member who is no longer here. The number of gifts corresponds to the number of lives lost in Tulsa County due to drunk driving.
Visitors to Woodland Hills Mall can sign a pledge card near the Tree of Life to make a personal commitment to abstain from drinking and driving. People who consume alcohol should do so responsibly and make a plan for a sober driver or use a ride-sharing service. Photos can be submitted digitally through the Tulsa Health Department website or physically dropped off at three locations within the department during business hours between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. Photos can be received until December 8th, 2023. If submitting digitally, please include the name box with the name of the person in
