CLOVIS, Calif. (KFSN) — It’s the first of its kind, the Driving Change with MADD Campaign is a team effort and is geared toward making roads safer.

Now, through the month of January every-time someone buys a car for the next month a small portion of the sale will go right back into the community to educate youth about the dangers of driving under the influence.

It’s a partnership between Mothers Against Drunk Driving, or MADD and Hedrick’s Chevrolet in Clovis, which aims to raise several thousands of dollars.

The announcement was made during a press conference on Wednesday morning at the car dealership in Clovis, where community leaders and those impacted by DUI crashes shared their stories.

In a letter recalling memories with her father, Delila Banuelos, shares the milestones she and her family have reached without him, “Dear dad, I remember us driving on the Chevy truck, to the ranches, with homemade burritos my mom made.”

It’s been more than ten years since a drunk driver claimed the life of her father, a local farmer named Federico Banuelos, in a hit-and-run.

“It was really life-changing. It was emotionally devastating… My life had to go on, you know. So I actually, you know, emotionally shut down for many years,” expresses Dalila.

To this day, it’s difficult for Dalila to process how one person’s irresponsible decision cut her dad’s life short.

But unfortunately, she is not alone.

The Clovis Police Department says they filed 8 murder cases in 2025 alone, and saw 15 DUI-related fatalities.

They also recalled an incident over the weekend, where a mother and child were struck by a DUI driver at the Trader Joe’s Parking lot.

They are expected to be okay, but local law enforcement says, even one life lost is too many in a completely preventable tragedy.

“This past year, in 2025 the Fresno area, CHP officers removed over 2000 DUI drivers from our roadways. And while I’m incredibly proud of the hard work that men and women that wear this uniform have done, it’s also a sign and a symptom of how prevalent DUIs are still in our communities,” explains Cpt. Ian Holguin, with the California Highway Patrol.

While officers do what they can to take impaired drivers off the streets, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, or MADD and Hedrick’s Chevrolet in Clovis are also jumping in to help.

Through the month of January, a portion of proceeds from each car sold will be donated to the MADD organization.

“We are a part of this community. We have been a part of it for 75 years and we just think it’s important that we partner with the community and what is good for the community is good for us,” says Brett Hedrick, the Co-Owner of Hedrick’s Chevrolet.

The Driving Change Campaign is expected to raise several thousand dollars that will go right back into the community, with a focus on teens

“In addition to that, we also educate parents on making sure they talk to their teens on the dangers of underage drinking and drug use, and understanding that they are the number one influence on their teens,” explains Natasha Thomas, with Mothers Against Drunk Driving, MADD.

If you are not in the market for a car, there are still many ways you can help by donating directly to MADD or volunteering your time with the organization.

Details can be found on their website here.

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