Mount Rushmore Unveils New D.A.R.E. Vehicle

The new D.A.R.E. vehicle will be used to promote the mission of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education Program to the local community and throughout western South Dakota.

NPS Photo

News Release Date: July 14, 2008

Contact: Pam Koenig, 605-574-3115

Contact: Amy Bracewell, 605-574-3114

Mount Rushmore National Memorial was proud to unveil its newest vehicle on July 3 during the annual Independence Day Celebration. Through a generous donation by the Mount Rushmore National Memorial Society, the memorial received a new 2008 Jeep Rubicon to serve as a support vehicle for their D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program. D.A.R.E. brings law enforcement officers into the classroom to teach children how to resist peer pressure and live productive drug, alcohol and violence-free lives. Mount Rushmore National Memorial has two law enforcement officers who participate in the D.A.R.E. program.

D.A.R.E. officers will use the new vehicle to travel throughout the local community, as well as western South Dakota, to educate school children on drug and alcohol abuse and self-esteem. Events such as parades, D.A.R.E. graduations, and park events will provide opportunities for D.A.R.E. officers to educate the community on the importance of staying drug and alcohol free and avoiding violence. “We are absolutely thrilled the Mount Rushmore Society donated this vehicle to the memorial and the D.A.R.E. program. The kids are going to love it. We truly appreciate their generosity and the generosity of all the folks who helped make this happen,” remarked Mount Rushmore’s Superintendent Gerard Baker.

In addition to the Mount Rushmore National Memorial Society, several individuals and organizations donated time, supplies, and labor to help paint and outfit the vehicle. Mount Rushmore National Memorial would like to specially thank Don Patino and Les Busch at Liberty Jeep Super Stores, JoAnn Tibbs and Teresa Verburg at Summit Signs, Russ Jobman and Jim McCaleb with Xanterra Parks and Resorts, Barbara Haugen at Custer All Drug, Jason Nelson with Creative Car Components, Gene Fenske with Dupont Paint Inc., and Coby Dawson with Dawson Customs for all their help to get the vehicle outfitted for the D.A.R.E. program. No tax payer dollars were used in acquiring or outfitting the new vehicle.