The Tulsa Health Department Regional Prevention Coordinator Program (RPC) and the Stop DUI Task Force are joining forces to raise awareness of the devastating effects of drunk driving in Tulsa County through the annual Tree of Life holiday display. This year, members of the community are invited to submit a photo of their loved ones who have been lost due to a drunk driving accident to be included on the ornaments for the Tree of Life, which will be displayed inside Woodland Hills Mall starting in December.

“It is important to remember that behind every statistic is a person,” said Kandice Lawson, Prevention Specialist at the Tulsa Health Department. “By giving a face to the lives lost due to drunk driving, we can better understand the true impact that alcohol abuse has on our community.”

Since 2014, the Tree of Life has served as a poignant reminder of the number of Tulsa County families who are missing a loved one during the winter holiday season due to a drunk driving accident. The tree features wrapped gifts as a symbolic representation of the gifts that won’t be opened this year because of a family member who is no longer with us. The number of gifts corresponds to the number of lives lost in Tulsa County due to drunk driving.

Visitors to Woodland Hills Mall can sign a pledge card near the Tree of Life to make a personal commitment to abstain from drinking and driving. Those who consume alcohol should do so responsibly and make arrangements for a sober driver or use a ride-sharing service. Photos can be submitted digitally through the Tulsa Health Department website or physically dropped off at three locations within business hours: James O. Goodwin Health Center, Central Regional Health Center, and North Regional Health and Wellness Center. Submissions can be made until December 8th, 2023. If submitting digitally, please include the name of