Local News - November 2003

Safe ride home promised

Published November 5, 2003

Rally honors memory of ‘Anna Mac’

By Staff reports

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CATAWBA — Anna McCaslin, 15, went out to the movies with her friends on Sept. 5.

When the movie was over, they climbed into a friend’s truck. The teen-aged driver had been drinking.

He lost control of the truck and ran off the road. Anna, a sophomore at Bandys High School, was killed.

Now, her parents and community members are rallying together to make sure no one feels pain like they experienced that day.

“Though this is a difficult time in our lives, we don’t want to lose sight of the important message that this tragedy has brought forth,” Anna’s parents, Darin and Sandy, said in a letter.

At 7 p.m. Monday, a rally will be held at Bandys High School football field in memory of Anna and in protection of other young adults.

Information will be given out about how to become a part of Operation Anna Mac, an initiative that aims to give all young adults somewhere to turn in difficult situations.

Right now, Operation Anna Mac is focusing on Bandys and Mill Creek Middle School in Catawba County, but volunteers hope it will catch on in Lincoln County, too.

Parents in the community contacted Alltel, which donated a cell phone. Students can call the number 828-381-ANNA any time they’re in an uncomfortable situation.

This will provide a safe and confidential non-judgmental ride home 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Parents will man the phone line.

Each student will be given a key chain with the phone number printed on it.

At Anna’s funeral, parents stood up when they were asked if they would be willing to offer a ride home to any child at any time if they found themselves in a potentially dangerous situation.

“Those parents stood as a united front in protecting our children and have spawned an outpouring of support from the community,” the McCaslins said.

Volunteers ask anyone interested in being a part of Operation Anna Mac to attend the rally at 7 p.m. Monday at Bandys High School.

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© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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