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

“It’s important to remember that these victims are real people, not just statistics,” 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 grieving 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 unwrapped this year because a family member is no longer here. 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 plan 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 of the Tulsa Health Department. Photos can be submitted from now until December 8, 2023. If submitting digitally, please include the name box with the name of