Dimitrios and Tammie Lambros became active in the victims’ rights movement when their two and a half year old son, Zachary, lost his life at the hands of a drunk driver in 1992. They responded to the tragedy with grief and a desire to strengthen laws to eliminate drunk driving. Their journey started with the founding of the Orange County Chapter of MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) where they began to collaborate with community members, law enforcement agencies and local organizations.


Zero Tolerance and Zachary's Law

During this time, Dimitrios became the Assistant Public Policy Liaison to MADD and lobbied for zero tolerance for drivers under 21.

Dimitrios and Tammie were successful in having the legislature pass Zachary’s Law,named after their deceased son. This law closed a loophole and strengthened the penalties for out of state drunk drivers charged with vehicular homicide in the first degree.  Mario Cuomo signed this law in 1993.

Along their journey, Dimitrios' and Tammie's vision expanded . As they began to meet victims impacted by other crimes they saw a need for a local coalition to protect all crime victims.


Orange County  Coalition for Crime Victims’ Rights takes shape in 1994

The idea for the Orange County Coalition for Crime Victims’ Rights started to take shape when Dimitrios and Tammie met Patricia Bodnar, recently widowed due to the homicide death of her husband. The three partners invited law enforcement and other Orange County crime victims’ assistance programs to join them in honoring victims of crime and keeping their memories alive by sponsoring an entirely volunteer driven event, the annual Candlelight Vigil.

It was at the first Candlelight Vigil in 1994 that Patricia Bodnar invited Brian Jarvis, Chester Police Department, to join the group.  He had been active in the cause to find missing children and had been promoting a self-funded paper.


The Candlelight Vigil: An Orange County Tradition

Dimitrios, Tammie, Patricia  and Brian, formed the strong core of leadership that has taken the Coalition to the place it is today.  Through their dedication, concern and strong networking abilities they have increased Coalition membership and gathered unwavering community support for the annual Candlelight Vigil. This event, which has become an Orange County tradition, has been made possible strictly through volunteer efforts and donations. It is held in conjunction with the national Office of Crime Victims.

Each year the Orange County Coalition for Victims' Rights holds the Tree Blessing Ceremony and Candlight Vigil in different areas of Orange County, New York.

2008                Chester
2007                Walden
2006                Pine Bush
2005                Tuxedo
2004                Greenwood Lake
2003                New Windsor
2002                Blooming Grove
2001                Chester
2000                Port Jervis
1999                Newburgh
1998                Wallkill
1997                Warwick
1996                Hamptonburg
1995                Goshen
1994                Monroe