Mo’ne Davis — the first girl pitcher ever to win a game and throw a no hitter in the Little League World Series — will visit Manteca Ford on Saturday.
The teen is helping launch Sober Youth’s latest campaign — Drive Sober, Ride Sober Prom Graduation 2016 — as part of its overall effort to combat underage drinking, drug use, and texting while driving among teens.
“We expect a visit to surprise the crowd with a recognizable player from the World Champion Golden State Warriors,” noted dealership owner Phil Waterford who has business relationships with several of the players.
The event takes place Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Manteca Ford, 555 N. Main St. The event includes free hotdogs, hamburgers, drinks, chips, raffle drawings and T-shirts to youth who pledge to not drink or do drugs. There will be a Q&A session with Davis. Pre-recorded messages from Derek Carr of the Oakland Raiders, Brandin Cooks of the New Orleans Saints, Todd Davis of the Denver Broncos, and Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors will be aired on 70 inch screens throughout the event.
Other community members who will be attending include Dwayne McAfee, National President of Sober Youth; San Diego Charger and Lincoln High School alum; Tyronne Gross Jr.; Emmanuel Latimore, California Correctional Peace Officer Association Stockton Chapter President, MADD Northern California Chapter.
Among the invited guests are Manteca Mayor Steve DeBrum, and actress/model/singer Holly Robinson Peete.
Davis was the youngest athlete to ever appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine. She later threw the ceremonial first pitch in the World Series and won the ESPY for “Best Breakthrough Athlete”, among other awards and accolades.
“Back when I was growing up, it was a big deal for a high school senior to get $100 for graduation,’ noted dealership owner Phil Waterford. “Now research shows the most requested gift, believe it or not, is a car. “
Waterford said he can understand that since many times graduates need cars to get back and forth to college. He added cars are almost an essential item today for young adults to stay mobile.
“While we have the first-time car buyers program, I don’t just want to sell kids cars, I want them to be safe,” Waterford said. “There is a tremendous amount of responsibility that comes with driving and owning a vehicle. Driving is a privilege, not a right. The number one cause of death among teenagers are alcohol related incidents. We can change this statistic by educating young people and reminding adults to make good choices.”