The Orange County Coalition for
Crime Victims’ Rights
is a grassroots effort spawned by community interest and need. It is sponsored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). Founded in 1994, the Coalition honors crime victims and offers support to family and friends who love them.

Patricia Bodnar
MADD
Co-Chairperson

On August 3, 1990, I became a crime victim. I witnessed my husband Alex being stabbed to death and I became a victim of attempted rape and murder.

My husband killed the intruder who entered our home but unfortunately Alex was killed. But he managed to save my life. There was an accomplice who was caught and charged with felony murder. The jury returned only 2 counts of first degree burglary. Giving the accomplice a break he didn't deserve.

After the trial, I felt a terrific void- I put all my energy into preparing for the trial, now what? I decided to volunteer with the Crime Victims' Assistance Program. This enabled me to take the journey with other victims. Reaching out to others helped me heal.

Next I got involved with Tammie and Dimitrios Lambros who founded MADD of Orange County. Again, I was able to help other victims.

During a conference in Albany with my MADD friends, I was impressed to hear of a Candlelight Vigil to honor DWI victims during National Crime Victims' Rights Week. I thought perhaps we could do the same here in Orange County but we could and should honor all victims of crime.

The Lambroses had already held a ceremony here in Orange County. We put our heads and hearts together and decided to form the Orange County Coalition for Crime Victims' Rights and expand on the first simple ceremony.

We invited those who came into contact or worked with victims to join us. This annual event is held every year in April in a different community.

In 2005 Patricia Bodnar was honored by The Orange County Human Rights commission for her work in fostering justice and equity among diverse groups. In 2003 she received the Bobbie A. Lahey Award for Volunteer Services . In 2002 she was honored with the New York State Woman of Distinction and the AHRC Community Volunteers Award. In 2000 she received the Straus Newspaper's Volunteer for the Next Millennium and MADD National Difference Maker Awards. The National Police Chiefs' Association honored her in 1999 with the Distinguished Medal for Public Service.