Rimrock is proud to sponsor the 22nd Annual MADV (March Against Drugs and Violence), a time for the community to come together and stand against drug abuse and violence. Please join us and other community sponsors on Saturday, June 8th, from 11:30am-1:30pm at the Yellowstone County Courthouse Lawn at 217 N. 27th Street.
Presentations will be given by community leaders, local nonprofits and civic groups, as well as members of our community who have been affected by drug abuse and violence. The main event also includes tee shirts, a BBQ, refreshments, kids’ activities, info packets and speakers. Participants can also take a 30-minute walk around downtown guided by the Billings Police Department.
MADV was founded by city council member Mike Yakawich and is held every second Saturday in June on the Courthouse Lawn. The MADV began in 1997 with about a dozen children and parents, a few community leaders, a couple of ministers and a RED WAGON – which is now featured in the logo for MADV. The group marched from the Courthouse Lawn to the South Park.
The march gained momentum early on with the support of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Yellowstone County, Rimrock, Billings Police Department, DUI Task Force, Tumbleweed, and churches. Since then, more sponsors have supported MADV including Elks Lodge #394, Passages, Global Peace Foundation, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Black Heritage Foundation, Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch and more. The event has grown over the years, with around 250 participants taking part in last year’s event.
Over the years, the march has addressed issues including prescription drugs abuse prevention, alcohol abuse and misuse prevention, and bullying. Through the generous support of sponsors, MADV has purchased Drug Boxes for prescription gathering for the Billings and Laurel police departments. In 2015, MADV began to focus on Human Trafficking Education Prevention, working closely with the Montana Department of Justice, local FBI and the Billings Police Department. MADV committee members have given numerous presentations on human trafficking to Kiwanis, Exchange, Rotary Clubs, and task forces.
Growing support of this event is testimony to the pervasive impact of drug abuse and violence on our community. This year our coalition will be focusing on “Educating Our Youth About the Dangers of Opioid Use.” In April and May, this program will be presented to various groups in our community.
Come join us for our annual event to take a community stand against drug abuse and violence. There will be free t-shirts for the first 250 to arrive, a free BBQ and refreshments, free swag bags, kids’ activities, info tables and more!
For more information, follow @MADVmarch on Facebook, or contact Mike Yakawich at 406.254.2445 or yak.mike@gmail.com.
