The Danielle Stento How To Save A Life Contest
Overview
In 1989, Danielle Stento was hit by a drunk driver while walking across a street in Buffalo, New York. Danielle suffered Traumatic Brain Injury as a result of the accident and requires twenty-four hour nursing care. However, Danielle continues to accept the challenges posed by her condition. Among these is the challenge to spread the message about the terrible consequences of drunken driving.
From 1992 until 2007, the Danielle 5K Run/Walk was held in honor of Danielle Stento as a public awareness measure concerning the drunk driving problem and as a benefit to the Danielle House, area high school SADD Chapters and local STOP-DWI efforts. During the events 16 years over $300,000 was raised for local organizations.
Beginning in 2008, the Danielle 5K Run/Walk will become “the Danielle Stento How To Save A Life Contest” in Broome County. After 16 very successful and memorable years as a public awareness and fundraising event, the Stento family decided to focus more of their attention on education and school-based activities. This countywide education initiative will consist of a television, radio and poster contest for students across five different important traffic safety topics: Drowsy Driving, Safety Belt Use, Driving Distractions, Impaired Driving and Speed/Aggressive Driving. The contest will include high school, middle school and elementary grade divisions.
By expanding the format beyond the former banner contest of the Danielle 5K Run/Walk to include radio and TV elements, the Danielle Stento How To Save A Life Contest will encourage more students to participate and get involved with important traffic safety messages. Exciting prizes will be awarded to first, second and third place in each of the five topic areas across each grade division.
The Stento family will continue to work with Broome County's STOP-DWI Program and will be joined by the Broome County Traffic Safety Program to organize and promote this education initiative. It is our goal to organize a countywide educational activity for students that will increase community awareness about important traffic safety issues.
» The Danielle Stento How To Save A Life Contest 2008 Registration Form (8.5 x 11) (pdf)
Danielle 5K Run/Walk posters are still available if you call or send email to receive original posters at no charge.
The Danielle Stento How To Save A Life Contest
Registration
The Danielle Stento How To Save A Life Contest
Fast Facts
How The Danielle Run Has Helped Our Community:
Since 1992 proceeds from the Danielle Run have supported the following projects and organizations in the fight to combat drunk driving in our community.
» The Danielle House.
» High School SADD Chapters - funding for over 20 area high school SADD Chapters.
» Binghamton Police - for the purchase of equipment to video tape the arrest of drunk drivers.
» Whatever It Takes, Inc. - for the establishment of a social recreation center for people with head injuries.
» Sponsorship of a series of children's TV shows relating to drug and alcohol issues.
» Binghamton Police - for the purchase of D.A.R.E. notebooks for Binghamton City School District children in the D.A.R.E. program.
» Broome County STOP-DWI- Program - for sponsoring a community forum on parent sanctioned teen alcohol parties and underage drinking.
» New York State Police - for the purchase of a Stemlight Trailer that is used to illuminate the area where vehicles are stopped during sobriety checkpoints for the safety of motorists and troopers.
» Crime Victims Assistance Center - for the development of the DWI Victims Impact Panel.
» Broome County STOP-DWI- Program - for the publication of "Shatterer Lives."
» New York State Police - for a Total Workstation computer system for the Kirkwood, New York substation. Unit is used for reconstruction of scenes and is available to all agencies in the county.
» SADD College Scholarships - funding for two $500 college scholarships to area high school seniors for winning an essay contest about the publication "Drunk Driving Tragedies: Victim Perspectives."
» Co-sponsored the Vehicular Homicide and DWI Conference presented by the Traffic Institute of Northwestern University that was attended by area police officers and prosecutors.
» Broome County MADD - Mothers against Drunk Driving.
» Prom and Graduation Public Awareness Campaign.
» Periwinkle National Theatre presentation of "Halfway There", a drug and alcohol prevention play.
The Danielle Stento How To Save A Life Contest
Danielle House
Our Mission
In the spirit of helping others in need, The Danielle House offers a temporary, safe and home-like atmosphere for patients' families and loved ones, and for outpatients seeking respite during a medical crisis, during treatment phases of medical care, or medical related services. Our goal is to provide love, support, comfort, and affordable accommodations for those who find themselves in the Triple Cities area in need of a place to stay.
The Danielle House Story
On November 4, 1989, Danielle Stento, a resident of Binghamton, New York, and a senior at the University of Buffalo, was struck by a drunk driver while crossing a street in Buffalo, New York. Danielle's parents, Tony and Diane, drove three and a half hours to be with their critically injured daughter. Though Danielle survived, she suffered traumatic brain injury (TBI). She spent months in therapy and today lives at home with her parents in Binghamton, requiring twenty-four hour care.
"It is one thing to have a family member in a medical crisis in your home town, but it is quite another to have this happen away from your community and its' support systems. Families take turns sleeping in chairs, cars, floors in waiting rooms, or on uncomfortable cots in order to stay close to their loved ones," said Danielle's mother, Diane Stento.
The Stento family, along with others who share the same passion turned this tragedy into an opportunity. . . an opportunity to extend to others what was given to them. . . a place to stay in a lovely and supportive home atmosphere. Karen and Bill Allen, SUNY Buffalo staff members, offered this to the Stento family in Buffalo. Thus, the inspiration for The Danielle House was born a home. . . away from home.
The Danielle House, Inc., is a not-for-profit organization, and a member of the National Association of Homes that Help and Heal. Thanks largely to a sizeable donation from Crowley Foods, Inc., local businesses and foundations, personal funds and the support of many friends The Danielle House opened its' doors on January 22, 2002.
The Danielle House is one of many projects
funded by the Danielle 5K Run/Walk
For More Information:
The Danielle House, Inc.
160 Riverside Drive
Binghamton, New York 13905
Phone: 607.724.1540
The Danielle House Staff
Diane Stento
Executive Director
Mary Lou Bush-Bailey
Office Manager
Roxanne Yagley
Night/Weekend Manager
Rosemary Shea
Volunteer Coordinator
The Danielle Stento How To Save A Life Contest
Contacts
For More Information, Contact:
James F. May, Coordinator
Broome County STOP-DWI
P.O. Box 1766
Binghamton, New York 13901
607.778.2056
Fax 607.778.2908
or Email bcstopdwi@co.broome.ny.us
Christine Muss, Coordinator
Traffic Safety Program
Broome County Health Department
225 Front Street
Binghamton, New York 13905
607.778.2807
Email: cmuss@co.broome.ny.us
