By Greg Halbleib
BLOOMINGTON – Mothers Against Drunk Driving has renamed a state award in honor of a family that began a foundation to raise awareness after losing a son to a drunk driving crash.
MADD Illinois has renamed its Community Award as the Michael Collins Humanity Award. Collins was 22 when he died as a result of the 2014 crash in Bloomington. His parents, Jim and Kelly Collins, began the Michael Collins Foundation shortly after Michael’s death and received the first award named after their son.
Kelly Collins tells WJBC’s Terry James that Michael’s legacy continues:
“For us to not only have the name changed but for Jim and I to be the first recipients as well is a wonderful thing to have his foundation recognized,” Kelly Collins told WJBC’s Terry James, “given the fact that we’re aligned with (MADD’s) mission as well, which is to raise awareness against this senseless crime.”
In addition to raising awareness about the dangers of drunk and drugged driving and underage drinking, the Michael Collins Foundation also promotes organ donation and a pay-it-forward lifestyle of serving others. Kelly Collins said her son lives on through many efforts.
“His legacy has certainly stirred a movement, not only in this community but as we saw early on, in the nation as well,” Kelly Collins continued. “One of the things I promised Michael when he was still with us in the hospital–and I do believe he could hear me–is that I will fight for the cause until I die.”
Greg Halbleib can be reached at greg@wjbc.com.
