Casey Feldman was only 21 when she was killed at a crosswalk in Ocean City, NJ on July 17, 2009—a victim of distracted driving. Today, Casey’s parents, trial attorney Joel D. Feldman and Dianne Anderson of Springfield, come to terms with their loss by promoting safe driving through the charitable foundation they established in Casey’s name that also celebrates her life.
“Casey was a remarkable young woman,” recalls Casey’s dad, Joel Feldman. “She loved animals, people, and life.” As a student at Fordham University, Casey made time to volunteer at the West End homeless shelter, Momentum Soup Kitchen, and Animal Haven Shelter. Casey’s dynamic spirit and legacy of service endure through The Casey Feldman Memorial Foundation, which educates students about distracted driving and contributes to other causes supported by Casey.
For Feldman’s efforts in saving lives by promoting safer driving, The PA Association for Justice (PAJ) is presenting him with PAJ’s Community Service Award. The award will be presented Friday, Oct. 21, at PAJ’s Presidents’ Club Reception in Philadelphia.
In announcing the award winner, PAJ President Kenneth M. Rothweiler of Philadelphia, says Feldman and his wife are courageous examples of parents who turned their tragic loss into a force for saving lives. “Accidents and deaths attributable to distracted driving, such as talking on cell phone texting, are occurring at an alarming rate, especially among teens,” Rothweiler says. “PAJ is proud to honor Joel Feldman and the The Casey Feldman Memorial Foundation for promoting safety and advocating for tougher laws to help prevent future tragedies like Casey’s from happening.”
Last February, Casey’s story was included in the “Faces of Distracted Driving” series of the U.S. Department of Transportation. The video, which was filmed by Feldman and features Casey’s friends and mom, is the first to be submitted by a member of the public.
Feldman used his experience producing client videos for the law firm to make a compelling message. Near the end of the segment, Casey’s mother asks, “What will it take for us to change the way we drive?” It has received more than 15,000 hits on You Tube, and has been played in schools, driver’s ed classes and distracted driving events around the country Feldman says.
“You have to start with children,” says Feldman, noting that Grover from “Sesame Street” and Disney’s “Cars” characters are being used to teach good habits early. Adults are not always the best role models. “Casey died because a driver took his eyes off the road for just a few seconds,” says Feldman. “And after it happened, I knew I could easily have been that driver, having driven while distracted many times.”
The foundation is mostly self funded, but is has received some donations as word spreads through the web site and blog (Casey Feldman Foundation blog).
The foundation, working in conjunction with the National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS), recently announced a $5,000 grant to a youth organization in Howells, NB, for a “Wear Your Seat Belt!” campaign promoting teen driving safety. In July, it partnered with the Safe Driving Academy in Ocean City for an education program about distracted
driving.
