Are my talks are injury prevention making a difference? Take a look at some of the comments I’ve received through the years – it’s means a lot to mean hear their feedback!
A follow-up from my talk at Valhalla High School:
Hi Monica,
The school is still buzzing about your presentation. (4/7/10) I cannot thank you enough.
Also, I spoke to the President of our school PTO (formerly PTA) and she is extremely interested in having you out to speak to the parents before our school year ends. I was hoping you would have some availability one evening between now and mid-June. If so, I will meet with her and our VP to see when we can schedule the theater. If you can do it, are there are days or weeks that are not
good for you. Again, it would be an evening time so parents could attend.
Thank you again, I look forward to hearing from you!
R. Brooks
PS. As you probably know….today is National NO PHONE ZONE Day!!!
So far we have collected almost 300 signed No Phone Zone car pledges from students and staff and they are still coming in to me each day!
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April 7, 2010: Following four driving safety assemblies I delivered at Valhalla High School today, I received the following card:
Monica – I cannot thank you enough for taking the time to present to the students and staff at Valhalla High! Your presentation was fantastic and I know you touched many lives today. It was wonderful meeting you and I look forward to the opportunity to work with you again!
Sincerely,
R. Brooks
On March 14, 2010: I just returned from Miami where I was invited to speak to students and their parents at a private high school called Gulliver Preparatory. I delivered two talks on March 11, 2010. I first spoke to the students (9th-10th-11th & 12th grade levels) and then to their parents. Here is a comment I received from the host parent Lisa about my talks:
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Another very nice comment following a safe driving talk I delivered to a Yacht Club in the beach area. Received October 9, 2009.
Hi Monica,
I have been meaning to send you a note letting you know how much we enjoyed your talk our M. B. Yacht Club. Your speech did have an impact! That same evening there was an event at the club where alcohol was being served. One of the ladies that attended the meeting came up to me and said she and her husband had decided to spend the night on their boat at the club after the party. She said normally they would have driven home but your talk reinforced what they both knew and was a good reminder on drinking and driving.
Thank you again for speaking to our club. I was thinking it would be beneficial to invite the juniors to this type of presentation next time. I won’t be the president of the group next year but I will pass on your contact information and the positive feedback I received to next year’s president. If there is anything the club can do for you please let me know.
Sharon B.
Received this comment 9/2/09 following a safe driving and disaster preparedness talk to a mobile home community in Santee:
Received this comment on 5/14/09 following a safe driving talk I delivered to a traffic school on 5/09/09 – thank you!
Monica Zech,
I’m just E-maling you to thank you for doing such a wonderful job speaking at the CBI traffic school this past Saturday. I also wanted to let you know I just saw you on the morning edition of San Diego 6 news as the safety spokesperson. You are doing a great job all together and I hope you will continue to inspire other young drivers like you did for me.
Sincerely,
C.W.
Received following a driving safety lectures to educators at a local University on 1/12/09:
Monica- I wanted to drop you a note to say “Thank You” for taking the time out of your busy schedule to come and speak at Prof. Graf’s Health Education class last week. Your presentation was really eye opening and I’ve been making better decisions ever since!
Thanks again and I hope to one day call you up to come speak to my class.
Best, B. Ratner
Dear Monica,
I met you at Dr. Graph’s health class at National University. I am a special education teacher at a local High School. My students are 18-22 years old. I’m sure my students would be impressed and shocked by how dangerous walking around the streets could be. I thank you for everything you do for children and to ensure public safety.I always think of how many people suffer or die needlessly on our roads. It upsets me to hear of anyone dying, but these people are not at war and shouldn’t have to go through that. Thank you for everything that you do to help people become more aware of safety.
God Bless you,
Carlos
Received December 11, 2008
Following a safe driving lecture to Navy Personnel in Point Loma:
Dear Ms. Monica,
Thank you for your time spent with us this week at our All Hands (military) Safety Brief. I found your brief interesting, educative, and (morbidly) entertaining.
While I have never seen the level of trauma you have, I do have a bit of time volunteering with a county fire department.as a firefighter/EMT, and as an auxiliary police officer. I’ve seen what speed can do when a small car hits a telephone pole at high speed.
(After hearing my talk) I have slowed down, given a 3-4 second distance in following, compared to the 1.5-2.5 I used to, and have caught myself looking several times both ways before proceeding through a controlled intersection. Not much, but at least I will have more reaction time if I am involved in something I can’t avoid.
It really brought it home when you shared with us the loss of your father, and the incident your daughter was in.
Again, thank you for your time.
Best Regards,
Ken L. L.
Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Navy
Following a driving safety talk on November 10, 2008:
Hi Monica,
Just wanted to thank you again for so graciously and expertly presenting last night for AAUW. Everyone was raptly attentive, and I think we all learned some interesting, new things along with being graphically reminded of much we know, but often forget to follow! You certainly know your material, and your passion and sincerity come through glowingly. Well done! Just had an email from our president, Rilla, and she expressed her praises for your talk, and wished she could have heard the full 2 hr. presentation! Ever thought of starting a Fan Club? Please know how much I appreciate your willingness to give up so much time for my group.
G.C.
Following a driving safety talk to a Kiwanis Group in La Jolla, October 24, 2008:
Monica,
Thank you for your presentation. You did a terrific job. One highly reliable mark of a good presentation is when people stay over to talk to the speaker, voting with their feet as it were. You had lots and lots of people doing so. So, kudos!
R. C., C. Law Firm
Received August 12, 2008
Following a driving safety lecture to the San Diego Gas & Electric office in El Cajon:
Monica,
I am late, but don’t want miss the deserved opportunity to say how enjoyable it was to hear you at SDG&E’s Safety Standdown in El Cajon. In so many, many ways you informed and educated employees on driving and it’s potential ugly consequences. Personally, I didn’t want to drive back to the home office or go home that day. Again, your energy and passion was remarkable!
Thanks,
R.G.
Business Systems Analyst
Received May 21, 2008:
Hi Monica,
My name is C.M. and I was privileged to attend your presentation at our monthly TIP continuing education meeting Monday evening. Along with most of my fellow volunteers, we were terrified to drive home that night but certainly came away from your presentation with many sobering facts and figures. Thanks so much for the “wake-up call/reminder” to our group…..especially some of us more “mature” drivers!
Thanks again for a most informative evening!
Regards, C. M.
(T.I.P. is Trauma Intervention Program)
Received May 18, 2008
From a parent whose child attends 3rd grade at Our Lady of Grace Church Academy in El Cajon:
I have to tell you what an impact you’ve had on my daughter! Whenever you come to their classroom to speak on safety she is very excited. She can’t wait to get home to tell me all about the safety information you delivered to her classroom of students. Thank you & Bless you for all you do for our children – and our community! – Ms. Church
(Yes, that’s her name)
(Thank you Ms. Church your comments meant a lot to me. – Monica )
Received January 8, 2008 following my talk to a Navy Pilot group at North Island Military base:
Monica,
Thank you again for yet another outstanding presentation to HSL-47! We greatly appreciate the commitment of time that you have given to us, and we are more safe on the roads and at home, and are better prepared for the “unknowns” out there. If we can ever assist you in any way, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Sincerely,
J. Melody – North Island Base
(THANK YOU MILITARY FOR PROTECTING OUR COUNTRY! – Monica Zech)
