PageantCast News Desk: Two anti-DUI groups spar over Miss America

Saturday, August 05, 2006

Two anti-DUI groups spar over Miss America

Daily Herald Legal Affairs Writer
Posted Tuesday, August 01, 2006

Here she is ... er ... isn't.Miss America 2006 Jennifer Berry may advocate an anti-drunken driving message, but her camp's decision to back out of chairing an Illinois advocacy group's annual fundraiser has organizers miffed.

Only a day after Berry won the title in January, the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists, or AAIM, approached Miss America officials about participating in its Oct. 22 benefit.

After months of negotiations, Berry's representatives agreed, even cashed AAIM's $5,000 check, only to back out a month ago, citing an undisclosed scheduling conflict.But organizers question whether the sudden cancellation has more to do with Berry becoming the Mothers Against Drunk Driving's national spokeswoman rather than a double-booking.

Although united in their goal to curb intoxicated motorists, the two nonprofit groups compete in Illinois for funding. In fact, AAIM is so successful in Chicago's collar counties, MADD is virtually nonexistent in places such as DuPage.

"We're fighting for the same cause, so it doesn't make sense," said Charlene Chapman, executive director of Schaumburg-based AAIM. "We don't know if that's the reason, but since we haven't been given an answer, we're left guessing."

Jennifer Berry

Berry, whose friend died in an alcohol-related crash, is a five-year MADD volunteer and, within two months of winning the crown, was named the organization's spokeswoman.

After watching a Jan. 21 broadcast of the pageant, Chapman said she e-mailed the Miss America Organization the next morning. Six months later, after several e-mails and phone calls, AAIM paid a $5,000 fee and got its contract.

Organizers also met other demands, including securing first-class airline tickets, a two-suite hotel room, private security and a limousine big enough to accommodate eight pieces of luggage.

Anticipating a larger crowd, AAIM moved its annual event from a 400-person venue to a larger facility in Oak Brook that accommodates 1,000. They also boosted ticket prices to $85 to pay for all added expenses.

But two weeks after the contract was signed, on June 26, Miss America reneged - leaving AAIM without a headliner or program. Although WBBM-TV Channel 2 investigative reporter Dave Savini agreed to fill in, AAIM still is looking for an explanation.

Neither MADD nor the Miss America Organization responded to repeated requests for comment. But in a letter to AAIM, pageant officials apologized for the inconvenience and pointed out a clause in the contract that allows it to cancel. It also returned the $5,000 booking fee.

AAIM provides grief counseling, courtroom advocacy, legislative changes, high school prevention programs, support groups and victim impact panels for offenders to attend. It also has donated more than $500,000 to victims and their families since its inception in 1982. It is the only group that donates directly to victims.

"We're not MADD bashing," said Patricia Larson, AAIM's state director of victim services. "We're just saying, 'What about us?' We were bumped for some reason and I think I know why.

"Not only did we lose our main attraction three months before the event, but we lost the expected revenue we hoped would be generated by her presence, funding that could help these families rebuild their lives after a drunk driving tragedy."

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