Mothers Against Drunk Driving Saturday held a banquet and awards ceremony for Surry and Yadkin law enforcement officers.

Officers were recognized for their efforts in keeping drunk drivers off the streets.

Mandy Collins, MADD's Community Action Site Leader, coordinated the event. The non-profit organization provides support throughout the year for victims of drunk driving and raises funds for community action efforts including school programs and extra equipment purchases. "We try to help the community however we can," Collins said. "The biggest thing we do is try and combat underage drinking and child passengers. Most people don't realize how prevalent that is."

Collins and Sheriff Graham Atkinson introduced the evening's events followed by a keynote address from Don Nail, Deputy Director of N.C. Governors Highway Safety. Nails spoke to the audience of law enforcers about the success of campaigns like Click It or Ticket and Booze It and Loose It in reducing drunk driving incidents.

He encouraged participation in a new point system program where law enforcement could earn points by participating in campaign public safety presentations to cash in for breath testing instruments, radar units, and in-car video systems. The points program started in February of 2007 and has had a lot of participants across the state. Several departments from Surry and Yadkin raised their hands when he asked if they had taken part in the program.

Awards were then given out for top DWI enforcement, special recognition plaques, and officer, deputy and trouper of the year.

Top DWI went to Highway patrol - (Yadkin) Michael Stone, (Surry) Brent Jones; Yadkinville police officer Jason Penley; Elkin officer Monty Wolfe; Dobson-Larrie Robinson; Mount Airy- Travis Whitaker; Jonesville- Tony Nance; Yadkin County Sheriff's Office- Garrett Stephens; Surry County Sheriff's Office - Gerald Lefever; and Boonville, Police Department, Corbet Baker.

Special recognition plaques were given to former Boonville Chief Rex Baity, former Highway Patrol First Sgt. Robin Chandler, Major Danny Widener of the Yadkin County Sheriff's Office, Sheriff Michael Cain, David Matthews, Yadkin County Sheriff's Office, and Sheriff Graham Atkinson of the Surry County Sheriff's Office.

Officer, deputy and trooper of the year awards went to Yadkin Highway Patrol Daniel Moxley, Surry Highway Patrol James Atkins; Mount Airy- Travis Whitaker; YCSO- Garrett Stephens; SCSO- Michael Wright; Yadkinville- Mark Cain; Dobson- Larrie Robinson; Jonesville- Scotty Vestal; and Boonville- Donald Dunn.

Trophies were given to first sergeant Robin Chandler and Chief Rex Baity who both recently retired.

Collins said that MADD worked well with both retirees and are sad to see them leave. Chandler was not present to accept the award Saturday.

The evening concluded with a standing ovation for Rex Baity and his many years of service.