Who are we and What do we do?

The Sandi Davis-Weiland Motorcyclist Awareness Foundation (SDWMAF) was started because of a preventable crash that took Sandi's life. Just six weeks prior to Sandi's tragic death, she had expressed the need for and the desire to promote motorcyclist awareness to motorists. She believed people who do not ride motorcycles do not understand them. She believed that motorists who do not ride should be educated on how motorcyclists operate on the roadways. She believed that through education of motorists about what to expect from responsible motorcyclists on the roads and the use of billboards that promote motorcyclist awareness crashes can be reduced, unnecessary pain and suffering can be prevented and lives can be saved.  

We are a 100% volunteer organization that consists of family, friends and bikers who are interested in promoting motorcyclist awareness to motorists and promote safe biking for both motorcyclists and bicyclists. None of us take any compenstion or money for the work we do to promote motorcyclist and bicyclist safety and awareness.

We speak at local driving schools in the Jackson, Vinton, Ross County areas, to help inform new drivers about what to expect when sharing the roads with responsible motorcyclists. Our program also helps to inform the students of the life changing affects that tragic crashes have on surviving victims, family members, friends and the community along with information on grief. Each student is given a key tag to help remind them to watch for motorcyclists and bicyclists.

Our orginal billboard has been taken down. Our current billboard is located on Route 93 north of McArthur, just south of Route 56 near the Hocking Hills, a favorite biking route. Our goal is to get at least one billboard up in each county in southcentral and southeastern Ohio, but it takes money. Billboards in this area costs from $2200 up per year, depending on size and location. 

Our first billboard was made possible by a fundraiser, on June 5, 2004,              co-sponsored by Wendy's of Wellston, Ohio, and the Horse Creek Riders Motorcycle Club from Jackson, Ohio.

Our main fund raisier is also an awareness event.  This is the 5th year for our  Car, Truck, Motorcycle and Bicycle Showdown. It is held in Wellston, Ohio, on May to help celebrate Motorcyclist Awareness Month. This event has raised enough money to rent one billboard a year and assist with driver edcuation presentation expenses.

100% of all contributions/donations goes toward billboards, presentation materials, fundraising, website and advertising expenses. We are a 100% volunteer organization and 100% dependent on public donations.

LIsted in GuideStar - the leading source for information on nonprofits in the United States