The foundation of the Rotary Club of Edina recently awarded a grant of $2,500 to the Minneapolis chapter of Men Against Destruction (MAD DADS).MAD DADS seeks to bring about positive change and encourages, motivates and guides people in the struggle to save children, communities and themselves from the social ills that plague neighborhoods. MAD DADS activities are designed to promote and demonstrate positive images of fathers engaging and protecting community, youth and families. Since 1998, MAD DADS has spent more than 1.5 million hours in the streets working to reduce violence.
“There is no group of men in the nation that have been doing this type of work for this long. Our mission has never changed. We are men against destruction, defending against drugs and social disorder. We go to the streets – first and consistently,” said former MAD DADS President VJ Smith. “We have proven results: reduced crime in the neighborhoods we are in. … People feel safer.”
MAD DADS plans to use the grant to purchase winter jackets, hand warmers, boots and walkie talkies for their work on the streets during the winter months.
Money for grants awarded by the Edina Rotary Foundation is raised at an annual fall fundraiser and gala and donations made throughout the year.