Amber Pizzo Memorial Foundation

Faced with their worst nightmare, the parents of Amber Pizzo channeled their grief into something positive. They developed a series of public service programs designed to raise awareness on the dangers of drunk driving.

The Amber Pizzo Memorial Foundation, today’s Daily Point of Light Award, was founded to honor the memory of Amber Pizzo, a young New Jersey teacher who was killed by a drunk driver in July 2005.

Every year, almost 11,000 people are killed in drunk driving accidents. The foundation serves to assist and support state and local programs that are committed to saving lives.

Working in conjunction with service agencies, faith-based organizations and the NJ-DOC, the Amber Pizzo Memorial Foundation funds educational programs in an effort to reduce the incidence of alcohol related fatalities in Union County, New Jersey, and throughout the state, where 27 percent of driving fatalities involve the alcohol.

Because, Pizzo loved young people and was a committed advocate for the educational needs of today’s youth, the Foundation also provides annual scholarships to high school graduates who are planning to major in early childhood education.

Since its founding in 2006, the Amber Pizzo Memorial Foundation has given $24,000 in scholarship money.