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SOUTH GEORGIA, (WALB) — A South Georgia native is turning personal tragedy into a mission to raise awareness about drunk driving.

Mara Eva Cline, the current Miss West Georgia and a student at the University of Alabama, created the initiative “Do It For Donna” after losing her mother in a drunk driving crash.

Cline says her mother, Donna Cline, was leaving Tuscaloosa after helping her on sorority bid day when she was hit head-on by a drunk driver.

“I’ll never forget the feeling of finding out that it was because of someone else’s actions that she was killed in a car accident,” Cline said. “She was doing everything right, but it was because of one person’s actions that made the difference.”

Through her initiative, Cline now travels to communities and schools sharing her story and speaking with young drivers about the dangers of impaired driving.

She says many of the students she talks with are just learning to drive, which makes those conversations especially important.

“I think it’s so important to educate our younger generation,” Cline said. “These are students getting their permits and licenses and preparing to go off to college. If sharing my story can help prevent another family from going through what mine did, that means everything.”

Cline has also partnered with Mothers Against Drunk Driving, raising nearly $2,000 through fundraisers to support victims and help spread awareness.

She says her goal is to continue honoring her mother’s memory while encouraging drivers across Georgia to make safer choices on the road.

Here is the link to donate to the fundraiser for the family of Mara Eva Cline.

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