Prior to opening Heritage Oaks Memorial Chapel, owners, Ron & Chris Harder and Jim Beeding, agreed that they wanted to give back to their community. They contacted local high schools to offer their involvement in “Every 15 Minutes.” Based on the fact that somebody dies every 15 minutes due to a drunk driving accident, these programs provide a graphic demonstration of the consequences of drinking and driving through the reenactment of a fatal crash scene caused by a drunk driver. Oakmont High School was their first opportunity to work with the Highway Patrol and school officials to present the program.

Having experienced their own loss when their 22-year-old son, Zachary Harder, drowned in June 2006, Ron and Chris were invited to share the story of their grief with key students who participated in the program. The teens were touched with the realization that life can be over in an instant. The key is to reach the students on an emotional level. We know that when they cry they have been impacted. There were a lot of tears flowing throughout our presentation and during the assembly that followed the next day.

Aurora Casket Company donated a beautiful gold casket for use on the second day of the program when a “funeral” was held during an assembly for upper classmen. Ron and Jim parked the funeral coach near the entrance of the gymnasium in full view of students making their way to the assembly. With the casket inside the coach, the realization that kids are not invincible began to sink in. When the students were seated, members of the Highway Patrol, and local Police and Fire Departments escorted the casket to the front of the auditorium, followed by the students who had participated in the event. Hearing from a Denise Howard whose son, Sean Sullivan, died in a crash after he had been drinking with friends further drove the message home to the students that they should not drink and drive.

Ron Harder commented, “Involvement in “Every 15 Minutes” sends the message that we would rather help keep kids alive than plan their funeral. We want our community to know we care.”