AAA Mid-Atlantic Collects Supplies to Help Local School Students;
Holds Storytime Event on July 31 

Public is invited to donate school supplies and take the pledge not to drive Intexticated 

PHILADELPHIA, PA (July 25, 2019) – While no one is ready to think summer is over quite yet, the reality is that back-to-school time is coming soon. In an effort to help local schools, AAA Mid-Atlantic will collect school supplies through August 4 at all AAA locations within the Philadelphia 5-county region, including its retail and car care centers. 

The campaign encourages AAA associates, members and the general public to donate new, unused school supplies. The local schools supported by the collection drive are chosen by AAA associates and after the donations are collected, AAA associates will deliver the supplies to their chosen school. 

“AAA cares deeply about the communities in which we live and serve,” says Jana Tidwell, manager of Public and Government Affairs. “AAA aims to ensure that students have what they need when they get to school, which takes pressure off children and families and gets the school year started right.”

AAA has added a special feature to the School Supply Drive this year – a Storytime event, geared to children ages two to six at select AAA locations. Locally, the Storytime event will take place Wednesday, July 31^st at 5 p.m. at AAA Clifton Heights. AAA Associates will read to the children who attend and snacks will be provided.

Storytime location in the Philadelphia 5 county area:

AAA Clifton Heights Car Care, Insurance and Travel Center

5233 W. Baltimore Pike, Clifton Heights, PA 19018 (Delaware County)

Wednesday, July 31 at 5:00 p.m.

Helping Students Inside and Outside of the Classroom

While dropping off donations, all are invited and encouraged to take AAA’s “Don’t Drive Intexticated” pledge or to find it at AAA.com/dontdrivedistracted. AAA’s multi-year initiative “Don’t Drive Intoxicated—Don’t Drive Intexticated” campaign links the impact of drinking and driving with distracted driving. Both are comparably dangerous and deadly, research shows, killing and injuring drivers, passengers, pedestrians and cyclists. What is more, a person using a cellphone while driving is four times as likely to be involved in a crash as drivers who are not.

In Pennsylvania

According to PennDOT crash statistics, a distracted driver was the contributing cause of more than 15,600 crashes in Pennsylvania in 2017, 6,500 MORE than a drunk driver.

Between 2014 and 2018, the State of Pennsylvania saw a 118 percent increase in the number of distracted driving citations issued.

“With more distractions than ever, motorists need to make a new commitment as the school year begins to put the phone away and watch out for students,” said Tidwell.

###

Follow us on Twitter: @AAAPhillyNews

Mailing Address:
7777 Brewster Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19159

AAA provides automotive, travel and insurance services to 57 million members nationwide and more than three million members in Pennsylvania.  AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years.  The not-for-profit, fully tax-paying member organization works on behalf of motorists, who can now map a route, find local gas prices, discover discounts, book a hotel and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android.  For more information, visit www.AAA.com.